This edition of Protiviti’s Sabbatical Series continues to showcase the diverse and enriching ways our colleagues have leveraged their sabbatical benefit to expand their horizons and enrich their lives.
At Protiviti, we provide the opportunity for a sabbatical because we believe in the importance of taking time off to follow one’s passions and interests. Wondering what exactly a sabbatical is? Essentially, it is a period of leave granted to employees, allowing them to step back from their day-to-day responsibilities to pursue their ambitions. Whether it involves exploring new countries, advancing educational goals, or simply engaging in some much-needed introspection, our sabbatical program is designed to foster our employees’ well-being and personal development.
In this post, we are spotlighting Melanie Harrison, a Manager in our Internal Audit and Financial Advisory solution out of Houston, TX.
Protiviti: What motivated you to take a sabbatical?
Melanie: During my time as an iNN resident, my fellow classmates talked about their sabbatical experiences, which put the bug in my ear. I started to consider some of my bucket list items, and how having a significant amount of time off could help manifest those dreams into a reality.
Protiviti: Did you have any specific reasons for choosing the timing of your sabbatical?
Melanie: I picked the timing of my sabbatical, to align with the first week of VBS (Vacation Bible School) in the summer, during the winter in South Africa so I could better see the wildlife when the plant life wouldn’t hide them, and into the fall for North America so I could go on a leafing road trip on the East Coast!
Protiviti: Did you have specifical goals or aspirations you hoped to achieve during your time away? How did you envision your sabbatical benefiting your career or personal life?
Melanie: My goal was to travel, spend time with friends and family, make time for personal hobbies, and do all the little things I always wanted to do but never seem to have time for like reading, visiting local museums, coffee shops and traveling! I always wanted to go on an African safari, but seemed to never have enough time. With 3 months off for my sabbatical, I finally had time for that, and check off more travel goals like driving across the country.
Protiviti: In what ways did you grow personally during your experience?
Melanie: I grew personally by getting out of my comfort zone of the normal routine, visiting places I’d never been to before, trying new foods, new experiences, and meeting new people. Planning and experiencing 3 months of travel, including a 1.5 month-long road trip across 18 cities, 17 states, and over 4,000 miles, being hosted by friendly strangers (a network of friends of friends) along the way, was a wonderful growth opportunity I enjoyed and would do again.
Protiviti: Do you have a specific memorable or impactful experience from your journey?
Melanie: I have two in mind. In South Africa, I was completely mesmerized by the savannah and being so close to the wild animals that you could touch them! This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to. During the last day, our guide asked us if there were any other animals we wanted to see again and I said “I want to see a beautiful sunset”. Our guide took us to an incredible mountain scape where we watched the sunset. Being from Houston, with a lack of horizon from all the buildings, this was an impactful moment. We stayed until the stars came out and our guide showed us the Southern Hemisphere constellations, with elephants munching on trees in the background. Theres nothing like it!
Meeting new people on my East Coast road trip was another impactful experience. I stayed with friends I had not seen since 6th grade, middle school, high school, and college, and also stayed with friends of friends along the way. Learning about my hosts was incredible! Everyone has different life experiences and were so hospitable and willing to share their life story with me. It was truly amazing experience.
Protiviti: Did you develop any new skills or hobbies during this time? If so, how have they enriched your life?
Melanie: Yes! I made a t-shirt quilt under the guidance of one of my friends. I got on a sewing kick and made pillowcases for my friends and family after that.
Protiviti: What advice would you give to colleagues considering a sabbatical? Are there any specific preparations or mindset shifts that made for a successful experience?
Melanie: Do it! Life is short! I would recommend applying for a sabbatical far in advance of when you want to take it, especially if you’re planning to travel a lot. Spend time with your friends and family! Do all those things you never seem to have time to do! The earth is so beautiful and you should see it! If you are worried about your career, I still got promoted even in requesting a sabbatical, so don’t let that hinder you from considering taking a sabbatical.
Protiviti’s unique sabbatical benefit can fuel personal growth and professional revitalization. We encourage all Protiviti team members to consider this opportunity not just as time off, but as a chance to enhance their life story and return as more complete individuals, ready for future challenges.
