Just over three years into his job at Colliers Engineering & Design, Daulton Hopkins decided it was time to hit the road, on foot. He took a sabbatical to trek the Appalachian Trail, all 2,190 miles of it, from his starting point in Georgia to Maine.
He recently returned to his job as a senior engineer at Colliers Engineering & Design's office in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, "recharged, grounded, and carrying a new sense of perspective," he said in a LinkedIn post. The reason: He completed a lifelong goal. His experiences trekking along the AT have already helped him at work, Hopkins said.
"I and my colleagues have noticed a significant difference in my work and performance since returning," the 27-year-old South Jersey native said in a LinkedIn message. "The trail really sharpened my problem-solving skills and resilience, which I've been able to carry over into my engineering work."
His employer supported and cheered on Hopkins during his journey that started Feb. 23 and ended July 28. "His sabbatical is a testament to his adventurous spirit and commitment to pushing boundaries," Colliers Engineering said before Hopkins started.