By Mark Franklin, M.Ed., P.Eng.

CareerCycles @ the Crossroads of Career Renewal & Active Travel

One poll after another reveals that North American workers feel frustrated or unchallenged at work and would make a career change if only they felt they could. The travel and tourism industry is experiencing a boom in active travel vacations. As a career counsellor and an active travel leader, I drew a connection between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena.

North Americans are experiencing transitions more frequently than ever before. Transitions brought on by internal incongruence or by conflict in the cycles of their life roles, transitions that spur the process of career change.

At the same time, active travel is taking off, and taking a bite out of traditional week-at-the-beach and cruise vacations. Active travellers enjoy cycling along quiet backroads, walking forested paths, climbing, caving and kayaking. Some find the combination of outdoor activity and time away helps them to reflect on their career realities and start the process of change. Most don’t, but could, and would, if given the opportunity.

They’re spending their time and money on active travel. They could use career services. How about doing both at the same time?

CareerCycles trips are short getaways for small groups designed to get your mind active about career renewal while your body gets active outdoors. For some people, career renewal will mean finding ways to adapt and feel better about existing career choices and work/life balance, while for others it will begin the process of change.

Seven years ago, Roberto took an active travel vacation — hiking and biking in the Rockies. Away from the hustle and daily urgency of his corporate law practice, Roberto decided to leave law to pursue a ground-floor business opportunity with a new franchiser. This past summer, on another active getaway to B.C.’s Gulf Islands, Roberto made another career decision, to cash out of the successful franchise business he’d built up, and move into financial services consulting.

Roberto’s story shows that getting away can help you step back and figure out where you are and where you want to go. Combining your exploration with easy-to-moderate physical activity supports moving your renewal process into action.

Mark Franklin leads CareerCycles getaways. With 15 years of varied career experience in management consulting, technology, freelancing and counselling, Mark is familiar with many work environments, and with the challenges and rewards of change. He holds a Master of Education in counselling psychology, and is a Professional Engineer. Mark works with individuals and groups on career issues at the University of Toronto. He has also led active travel vacations for a well-known travel company.

For further information call Mark Franklin at 416.465.9183 or email mfranklin@oise.utoronto.ca