Sarah Scholz entered the workforce at 16, completing an apprenticeship in real estate in Germany before recognizing a desire to delve into business and engineering. This led her back to university, where she enrolled in a study-while-working program.
Upon graduation, Sarah joined Bosch and worked in their consulting unit specializing in operational excellence. Although she excelled at and enjoyed her work at Bosch, she felt drawn to a more strategic and global consulting context. When an opportunity arose at AlixPartners as a Consultant in the then Operations practice, she made the leap.
Working for a prestigious consultancy had always been a career goal for Sarah, but after 14 years, she began to have doubts. "I never really took the time to consider if this path was what I truly wanted in the long run," she said. "I also wondered if I was missing out on enriching experiences, like gap years or working holidays abroad, that many of my friends had enjoyed."
At this point, Sarah made the bold decision to take a career break. Unlike a typical sabbatical, this break was open-ended. "For the first time, I just wanted to go with the flow and have no plan about what comes next. I needed to distance myself from my routine to truly evaluate my life," she explained.
Sarah spent nine months untethered to a job. After a brief travel period and a relaxing yoga retreat in Southeast Asia, she went to Australia, a place she had always wanted to return to after a study-abroad experience. "Australia's laid-back, outdoor lifestyle was something I wanted to embrace," she said. Her journey included several multi-day hikes and trail rides in Australia and New Zealand.
Sarah also focused on long-neglected interests, studying finance, nutritional science, and psychology, and took a university course in change management. “This period allowed me to deeply explore areas I’m interested in, something my regular work schedule rarely permitted,” she recounted.
Most importantly, the break allowed Sarah to gain a clear vision of her life, redefine her priorities, and better understand what drives her personally and professionally. "In a work context, this time away gave me the clarity I needed to see that I thrive in a dynamic consulting environment, where each day brings new challenges and opportunities," she said.
Upon returning to Germany, she rejoined AlixPartners—nine months older but with a fresh sense of energy. The hands-on work nature and open company culture of AlixPartners drew her back. But she also made some changes. “Regular gym exercise has become non-negotiable, and I ensure it fits into my schedule, even if it means skipping some team socializing or dinner in the evening,” Sarah said.
Looking ahead, Sarah is keen to blend her operations expertise with her enhanced change management skills and has been exploring new opportunities within AlixPartners. In her current client engagements, she drives change and communication activities within business transformation programs, helping clients make lasting improvements in their operations. Her self-led career pause allowed her to realign her professional life with her personal well-being, providing her with a playbook to create more impact at work.