Feeling Stuck After a Career Break for Family Planning: Is My Career Really Over?

Dear All,

I am feeling very low. Please help. I am an MBA in HR with three years of working experience. However, due to planning my family, I have been on a long leave for the past three years. It will not be possible to restart my job in the next two years as I am living in a nuclear family. My husband has discouraged me a lot; he says that after a five-year-long break, I will be finished. I am very disappointed at this time. Family planning is also a crucial aspect of life. As a woman, it is my duty to plan our family. Will my career really be spoiled?

Thank you.

Dear Vineeta,

Life or career can start whenever you want to start fresh. But the only thing is you have to work for it dedicatedly. Meanwhile, update yourself in the market.

Good luck.

Hi Vaneetha,

Yes, family is also an important aspect of life. But, as per me, no problems, just do any correspondence or diploma courses in HR, which is hot in the job market so that you can be able to keep in mind all those things related to HR and also act as a recalling factor for you. Also, don't forget to read the business newspaper and magazines so that you can update yourself about the current market status.

The remaining thing is only your attitude to get the job in your hands. Hope for the best. Nothing happens if you get depressed. Just come out of that circle and see the world; everything ends well.

Regards,
Alamu.

Veenita,

Well, yes, you have to decide what is more important as of now: family or job. I'm sure the answer will be family. It's also difficult to find a job after a break, but it's not impossible. You can get back anytime you want.

But you have to keep yourself updated about the industry - what's in and what's out now. Yes, you can also do some job or work where you don't have to travel to your office. Work from home - nowadays, many consultancies do so. That way, you can stay in touch with the industry, work, and most importantly, your family too. It's totally on an incentive basis.

Another way is to keep in touch with your friends, peers, subordinates, and supervisors when you are on leave - to check what's happening and for future job prospects as well.

It's not difficult to find a job for ladies after a break. You have a very genuine reason for it.

Yes, you can also go for further studies in HR - some regular courses or even distance learning (2-3 classes a week). You can try XLRI's Distance Learning program; it's great but a little costly.

Stay positive and think about what's more important right now. Take things as they come, not just thinking about the future. Being a mother is the best thing that can happen to a woman (I don't know, people say this).

Go and watch "3 Idiots" with your husband and enjoy the time (again, if you have seen it before, the intention is to enjoy today).

Regards,

Rohit

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Dear Vineeta,

In the days to come, it would be increasingly common to find people taking long career breaks, pursuing activities they are passionate about, renewing themselves, and then plunging back into their vocation or occupation. People, in general, will not wait until their retirement to pursue alternative activities that they consider worthwhile.

More and more employers will come to accept these facts of life, understanding that a career without a break may indicate a lack of a healthy work-life balance.

I am sure you have nothing to worry about as long as you keep yourself updated and continue to grow.

Warm regards,
Raj Kumar

Hi Vineetha,

Meanwhile, you can engage in activities at home. Consider participating in some online studies to stay updated with current trends, and also explore freelance job opportunities.

All the best.

Regards,
Shijit.

You may look for the option of working part-time (half day) or work from home. Many organizations offer such an option, and you can start full-time once you feel you have a support system to take care of your family's needs.

Hi Vineetha,

Never get discouraged in life. Life is always a roller coaster, sometimes going round. So, make sure that you and the other half are seated together always. The rest, you can always update yourself.

Regards,
Nadathur R

Dear Vineeta,

You can work as a freelancer recruiter while staying at home so that you will be in touch with your profession. After 2 years, you can easily transition to the role of a recruiter.

Hi,

My friend's dad started his business at the age of 51... enough said.

Regards,
Jeet

Vineeta,

You should consider joining a distance learning or evening course of your choice while you are off the job. You may also choose an evening LL.B. course of three years' duration. An MBA plus LL.B. should make a very good career.

-- M C Gupta
MD (Medicine), LL.M.
Ex-Professor
Practicing advocate
2 February 2010
Email: mcgupta44@gmail.com

Hi Vineeta,

You are unnecessarily worrying. You know, I had a teacher who pursued her second P.G. while she was teaching me. She completed her Ph.D. when I started working. Later, she took tuitions from me and obtained another P.G. degree. Now, after her daughter's marriage, she has embarked on a new career in a different subject. If you have the will to pursue it, the sky is the limit, and nothing can stop you. So, stop worrying and enjoy your motherhood now.

Follow the advice of your friends and keep yourself updated because whether you are working or not, you should stay in touch with your field of work. I am sure that when you restart, you will regain your rhythm pretty fast. Just be optimistic.

Dear Vineeta,

Please don't get discouraged! I have started my career after a break for the family and have found a job suitable for me. Since you are an MBA HR with experience, as others have mentioned, you can start freelancing. Advertisements do come for work-from-home assignments. Try that. But please don't lose confidence. Keep doing something for yourself apart from looking after the family. This will make you happy. Sharing my own experience. Take care.

Hi Vineeta,

There are hordes of examples of both males and females bouncing back into action after a long break of five to six years, so no sweat. Just keep yourself updated, apply all HR principles at home wherever you can. Give tips to your hubby in resolving HR issues, and request him to discuss live cases experienced by him. Keep smiling, and there you are with all the positive traits of an HR Manager that an HR Head would like to see in his subordinates. But last but not least, stay current with knowledge through web searches, discussing live issues with your classmates (I am sure you must be in touch – if not, get in touch now through Facebook, etc).

So cheer up!

Regards,
Neeraj

Dear Friends,

Even I was facing a similar dilemma like Vineeta. Thanks, Vineeta, for bringing up this topic. You can find many women experiencing a similar situation on the home front, so don't worry, just cheer up. Last but not least, do not lose faith in yourself; everything will be okay. When you start your career again, give importance to the profile rather than money, and things will start falling into place.

Regards,
Trupti

Hi Vineeta,

Everyone takes breaks, especially women. Nothing to feel ashamed or depressed about. You may feel that others are doing better in the rat race, but you know your priorities and at this point, what you can give to your family, no one else can. Your partner may not understand this, but have faith in yourself. Everyone has rightly suggested that you keep yourself updated. At the same time, this is the perfect opportunity to pursue any hobby that you may have sidelined due to work pressures. It could be painting, gardening, dancing, reading, cooking... anything. If you lose faith in your abilities, then the whole world will do so. If you enjoy what you have, you will appreciate your worth.

Enjoy

Hi, I am restarting my career after 7 years. Yes, I know that you might have to start from where you get, but if you are committed, anything is possible. The only rule is don't get too fussy, be prepared, and be positive. In this case, there will be many to pull you down, and you will have to stand up for yourself. Remember, you are your biggest strength.

Yes, truly, your career has ended. You do not have to wait for another 2 years; it has happened today itself. Don't take me wrong; I will explain why...

Your career has ended because of your negative attitude. If you wear yellow glasses, you will feel that the entire world has jaundice. But that's not true until you remove your glasses. Keep the right attitude, and your career will not end for another 10 years. Meanwhile, keep yourself updated with the latest trends in your field. If your interest area is HR, then keep yourself updated in this field or even better, do a Ph.D. or MPhil. It will help.

Remember, what matters is the right attitude towards the problem.

Thank you,
Leena