Why a Strategic Sabbatical Could Be Your Best Career Move

Who knew that big life decisions can begin with a deceptively simple question. For me, that moment arrived in late 2016. I was considering transitioning out of my career with USAID and facing the inevitable crossroads of "then, what’s next?" Like most people in that situation, I reached out to mentors, colleagues, friends, and family. But, unsurprisingly, it was my wife who gave me the clarity I needed.

During one of those classic, drawn-out conversations about our future—where lots of ideas were tossed around but no real progress was made—I had a sudden epiphany. I turned to her and asked, "sweetheart, what do you want to do? I mean, if you could do anything...what would it be?"

She paused for a moment and then answered, "I guess I’d go to culinary school."

Culinary school? Culinary school!

Now, this wasn’t a very practical idea by any stretch. Timing, money, and logistics made it seem wildly impractical. But practicality isn’t always the point, is it? She followed up with, "but what if I never work in the restaurant industry [spoiler alert: she did]? Won’t it be a waste?"

Without hesitation, I responded, "no, no…I think we should go for it; even if you don’t work in the industry, we’ll eat better for the rest of our lives." 

And with that, we were all in.

We bought a house sight unseen, packed up our lives—including two bewildered Labradors— and moved halfway around the world to Austin, Texas. She enrolled in Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, and I embarked on what I dubbed my "strategic sabbatical," or as I cheekily referred to it, a "reverse gap year."

Finding New "Flavors" in Life

While she was mastering knife skills, cooking techniques, recipe development, plating techniques, and generally crushing the culinary thing, I was trying something entirely new: stepping off the career treadmill. After years (and years) of globe-trotting in the international development and diplomacy world, I had never hit pause. This was my chance.

I threw myself into pro bono consulting, filmmaking classes, and guest speaking engagements. I soaked up Austin’s unique energy: South by Southwest (SXSW), the ACL Music Festival, the Austin Food + Wine Festival, Wurstfest, and even Eeyore’s Birthday Party (yes, that’s a thing in Austin).

What I discovered during this time was more than just the joy of new experiences. I reconnected with my creative side, gained fresh perspectives, and honed skills that stretched beyond the confines of my career. The sabbatical also allowed me to meet fascinating people—some local legends, others passing through—whom I never would have encountered while Marco Polo’ing across Central Asia.

The Bigger Lesson

Taking this step back reminded me of something profound: growth doesn’t happen on a fixed path. It’s about being willing to embrace change, take risks, and rewrite your story when the moment calls for it.

My wife’s culinary journey showed me that dreams don’t need to be practical to be worth pursuing. In helping her take that leap, I found a renewed sense of purpose and adventure in my own life. I’m now back with USAID (again, a story of another time), but with a whole new perspective and sense of purpose.

So, what’s the moral of the story? 

Sometimes, the best way to figure out your next step is to help someone else take theirs. And if you’re lucky, you’ll uncover a few unexpected joys—like perfectly plated dinners and a rekindled appreciation for what life can offer when you take the time to savor it.