Maintaining Momentum in your Technical Communication Career During a Leave of Absence

ABSTRACT

Currently, there is a lack of guidance for how individuals in the field of technical communication can confidently take a leave of absence without concern for how time away can impact career progression. Leaves of absence are on the rise in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic as employees struggle to find work-life balance and provide care for young children and aging parents. During the COVID-19 global pandemic, I gave birth to my son and took a 20-week parental leave of absence from my company. During this time, I continued to professionally develop while also taking time to recover and care for my family. I gained valuable insight into how to maintain the momentum of my career development and want to share the lessons I learned. This Industry Insight Report provides recommendations for planning for a leave of absence, setting goals and boundaries for the time away from work, maintaining career momentum while on leave, gracefully returning to work, and reassessing your work upon your return to ensure that your daily career responsibilities align with both your passion and team goals. This period of discernment allows you to reflect on what work is most important to you and what work helps you to evolve as a technical communicator. With reflection, reassessment, and planned enrichment, you can grow your career in a meaningful way even while you are away from your keyboard. © 2022 ACM.