Former Google Employee Shares How an Eight-Month Career Break Led to a New Role at Visa

Adam Stewart, a 43-year-old former Google employee, recounts his eight-month career break after nearly 20 years of continuous work, including a decade at Google. He left in January 2024 without a new job, aiming to spend time with family and reassess his career. Stewart set goals, budgeted carefully, and stayed updated on industry trends. He traveled, volunteered, and bonded with his daughter. A former colleague from Visa reached out, leading to a new role as senior director for UK and Ireland government solutions. Stewart advises others to plan financially and embrace the break as a reset, noting that companies are generally understanding of career gaps for senior roles.