Google, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Qualcomm, EMC, Autodesk….
If you work for any of these companies, you’re involved in a highly innovative culture. And if you’re double-lucky, you look forward to a paid sabbatical. Four of these companies – IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Autodesk – are on our “Companies on a Quest” list (see the list at yourSABBATICAL.com), which highlights great companies that offer sabbatical opportunities to employees. For those just discovering that sabbaticals real exist for hard-working individuals, note that we’ve interviewed people who have had THREE sabbaticals. More than one? Pretty astounding.
We’re excited to introduce you to third-timer Lynn Allen of the very cool company, Autodesk. At least we hope she’s really on her third sabbatical; she was apparently speaking at a conference during her first week off!
It’s not hard to understand why work is a pretty exciting place for Lynn. As a Cadalyst magazine columnist and worldwide Autodesk “Technical Evangelist”, she speaks to more than 30,000 users each year. For the past 15 years, she’s written a monthly column called “Circles and Lines” and is the voice behind Cadalyst’s “Tips and Tricks Tuesdays”. A sought-after public speaker with a unique comedic style, Lynn has served as the Autodesk University emcee for 10 years and is always one of the highest-rated speakers. Her latest book is AutoCAD Professional Tips and Techniques.
Summary: Lynn speaks to the masses with much success, writes a book and a column, and is funny-smart. In innovative cultures, we run into people who LOVE their work – and we think Lynn probably does. And for those who have found a place in which their talents thrive, sometimes the career benefits of “taking time away” don’t seem obvious.
So it’s especially interesting to discover Lynn, who doesn’t seem like the type to squander her time on a sabbatical that isn’t bring real ROI for herself and her company.
What does a good-looking, smart woman do and think when she has an opportunity to immerse her energy in stuff outside of work? While we advocate a TOTAL disconnect from work, is this part of Lynn’s plan? And just where is Lynn right now, anyway? Check out her blog to find out.
When a company like Autodesk offers paid, unrestricted sabbaticals to employees every four years, it’s sending a strong message for wanting to help keep talented people like Lynn at the top of their game. It’s also a calling card for talent that can drive the company’s future.
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