{
  "id": 3971176,
  "title": "A career break is risky. For them, it paid off.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/a-career-break-is-risky-for-them-it-paid-off",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-28T13:09:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/career-break-success-stories-2026-8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In an era marked by widespread job cuts, scarce hiring opportunities, and a pervasive trend of mass applications, taking a career break may appear to be a perilous choice. However, what if it turns out to be the most advantageous decision? Government figures indicate that although career breaks are quite prevalent, with individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce accounting for about 30% of unemployed Americans, transitioning back to the job market can be challenging. A 2026 research study published in Labour Economics surveyed 163 recruiters in Belgium, who were asked about their likelihood to interview or hire a candidate who had taken a career break. The likelihood generally decreased as the duration of the break increased. In an interview with Business Insider, six individuals who took a break from work shared their experiences, stating that the risk ultimately led to significant outcomes. One person successfully launched a new business while embarking on a South American adventure, while another achieved their life's ultimate goal: caring for her ailing parents.",
  "summary": "Six people who took career breaks for reasons ranging from childcare to starting a business shared how they bounced back into their industries, or carved out new paths.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}