Strive Software Engineer Reflects on Growth and Insights Gained During Sabbatical
Author : Strive Health
As part of our many workplace benefits at Strive Health, we award employees four weeks of paid sabbatical leave after five years of service. Trevor Taylor, senior software engineer at Strive, was eligible to take his sabbatical leave in 2024. Learn about Trevor and how he made the most of his experience.
How did you get into software engineering? What led you to Strive?
I’ve been interested in computers and programming since I was 12, when I used an Intel 80286 computer with GW-BASIC. I started my career in web and app design, which gave me the programming fundamentals I use in my job today. I joined Strive for the opportunity to help others. Here, I can pursue my passion while making a difference in people’s lives.
How long have you been at Strive?
I joined Strive in June 2019.
What are your main responsibilities at Strive?
I write code and use my knowledge to support my colleagues on their teams. Soon, I will serve as engineering liaison for a new strategic operating group. In this role, I’ll gain a broader understanding of the reasons behind our work and give insights into the technical requirements involved.
Why do you Strive?
I Strive to help people. I firmly believe in lifting others up and taking action. It’s not enough to simply ignore problems that don’t affect me. The compassionate culture at Strive keeps me motivated to support and collaborate with my team.
What did you do during your sabbatical leave?
My sabbatical was an amazing experience. Of course, I took plenty of time to relax, but I also did much more. My family and I took a vacation to San Francisco. I’ve never been one to sit still, so we managed to do two things a day from a list we made ahead of time. My daughter particularly loved Legoland Discovery Center and Children’s Fairyland.
We also hiked at Nine Mile Canyon in Carbon County to see rock art. We used an app to track our location, and it acted as our personal tour guide as we reached different parts of the trail.
The most exciting part of my sabbatical was flying a plane. The weather wasn’t cooperating at first, so I wasn’t sure if it would work out. Somehow, we found a window of time. The instructor put me in control. I taxied onto the runway, maintained altitude in certain air zones and flew around Salt Lake. As soon as I took over the control wheel, my nerves disappeared. The whole experience gave me a unique sense of freedom, and I’m already making a plan to pursue my private pilot’s license in the next year or two.
I also volunteered at family and women’s resource centers. There, I helped sort through piles of donations for people in need. It’s always rewarding to know you’re making a difference in someone’s life.
Even when I was at home, I found plenty to do. I started with work around the house, organizing and decorating my office. I also assembled a new bed for my daughter and a shoe rack. Perhaps my largest project, however, was digitizing old family photos. It took me two days to sift through 1,500 pictures, and I didn’t even come close to finishing. I guess I know what I will be doing during my next sabbatical!
What did you learn from your sabbatical?
I learned how important volunteer work is. Groups and nonprofits have so many good initiatives but don’t always have the people or money to make them happen. I suggest that Strivers use their civic hours to go out and do what they can. Sign up for causes and projects you believe in.
Why do you suggest others who are eligible take a sabbatical?
I hope my experience shows how much we can do when we have time to relax and focus. Ultimately, it was a unique opportunity to recharge and explore something different for a while.
Learn more about the benefits of being a Striver and check out our open roles on Strive’s careers page.
