Taking an 11-Year Break to Raise My Son and Reigniting My IT Career at 41

In 2009, when my son was born, I was embarking on my eighth year as an IT professional at Oracle India. The experience of motherhood was both exhilarating and terrifying, as I constantly worried about missing quintessential moments of my son’s early years.

While I attempted to juggle my career and a new baby following my maternity leave, the anxiety of missing out on his growth overcame me. My husband and I came to a decision: he would continue his career, and I would temporarily step away from mine to nurture our child.

Our planned one-year hiatus extended to 11 full years. In 2021, I transitioned back into the working world, reacquainting myself with the fast-evolving IT sector through a timely internship that required me to aggressively enhance my skills.

Navigating the Loss of Financial Autonomy

During my tenure at Oracle, I progressed from a software developer to a leader who commanded respect in my field. This thriving career came to a halt when I embraced full-time motherhood in early 2010, while my husband’s daytime commitments precluded him from caregiving.

Initially, embracing the role of a stay-at-home mom seemed adequate, but soon, the reality of dependency set in. The financial empowerment I once enjoyed was replaced by budgetary adaptations and a reluctance to indulge in requests for luxury.

As time went on, what was supposed to be a singular year grew as our family spent time in the United States due to my husband’s work and eventually returned to India in 2012. This prolonged absence from the workforce caused unease, yet I focused on household and parental responsibilities.

Breaking the Break with an Internship

Five years into my sabbatical, re-entering IT seemed daunting, as my technical prowess felt outdated. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, however, provided a unique chance to consider remote work as a feasible option, allowing me to be present for my son who was then 11.

Determined, by early 2021, I began my job search through Herkey, a platform supporting women returning to work, despite some dismissals assumed to be due to the duration of my career gap.

I polished my SQL skills to prepare for new opportunities, and came across a six-month internship with an IT firm. Grabbing it, I saw the position as a stepping stone to evolve and excel.

Rediscovering My Professional Self

While gratitude for the chance to be back in IT filled me, the idea of restarting my career was overwhelming. During interviews, my nerves betrayed me, reminding me of the steep learning curves ahead.

The industry had shifted to cloud-based solutions, significantly altering the landscape from my previous experience. Nevertheless, I packed my post-work hours with self-guided learning to bridge the knowledge gap.

Supported by my family, who adapted to household changes in my decreased availability, I transformed this internship into a full-time senior engineering role within just three months. The achievement affirmed my capacity to adapt and thrive.

Reflections and Lessons Learned

Looking back, if uninterrupted, my career path may have led to senior management by now. But I embrace the decisions I made, cherishing the time spent with my son during crucial stages of his life.

The trial of re-entering the workforce has undoubtedly been formidable, yet it set an example for my son, now 15, about the value of resolve and dedication. I take pride in the lessons my journey imparted both to him and to myself.