Have you taken a career Break?
Is She leaving the government job? People asked me surprisingly and would often say that I am doing a huge mistake. No one gets a government job so quickly and she is leaving. She is making a wrong decision. But that government job was of bank and those employed in banks can better understand the plight of being a banker mother with a newborn. It becomes easy to judge someone when one is not in that person’s shoes.
According to me, most mothers of newborns or toddlers struggle between their jobs and parenting. It becomes much easy when one relative or grandparents are there to cater to the kid’s need. But not all are lucky enough. Everyone has got different situations and faces divergent constraints.
Why the thought of a career break had come?
Certain decisions are very hard to take. I had always nurtured a dream of being financially independent but then I had to decide the priority and the demand of the situation prevailing at that time. A lot has been said and written about work-life balance but not many companies follow it, especially government banks. There is no set of rules or clear-cut policies regarding the woes of a new mother catering to both job and work. Being a manager in the Bank I had a very hectic work schedule always on her toes. A banker knows very well how much difficult to get leave.
We always used to say sarcastically that even Lord Yama (God of Death) has to wait for a couple of days to let the person finish his/her work and get the leave sanctioned. Women are the ones who were always expected to give at par with their male counterparts irrespective of the new responsibility endowed on them. It was so difficult for me to manage her kid along with the demanding job. I would be completely drained out after returning home and the toddler would cling to me wanting all love and care. I many times had to go to my office on weekends due to some or other work related to credit or audit or marketing campaigns as the banking industry has become so competitive nowadays.
Everything was taking a toll on my mental and physical health. At times it used to become so depressing (read article on postpartum depression). My kid was not keeping so well as he had to spend most of the time in crèche. I began keeping him in crèche in just 6 months as no one was there to look after the kid in the home as my husband also had to go to his office.
Those were not Covid times when work from home was allowed. Now things have changed. Now working from home has been a blessing in disguise after the outbreak of Covid. Still, the Banking sector is out of this. Nothing has changed much in the government banking sector even at present. After a few months of keeping him in crèche, I somehow managed to get 6 months of sabbatical leave.
The Final Decision- Culmination
Days fly. Six months of sabbatical leave got over. The strenuous journey began again and this time it was much more arduous and problematic. So we zeroed down on the idea of keeping a nanny for him although giving the entire responsibility of the kid to a nanny is not a wise one. We had no other option left. The nanny was always on phone or watching TV when we were out to the office so my son just used to sit alone and play without any engagement time with the nanny. And this is a common scenario with many kids who are taken care of by a nanny. They just chat on their cell or gossip with other house helpers. A parent spends quality time with the kids however this is lacking when a nanny is there. Even a kid learns a lot in daycare and prep schools although there is a high incidence of the child getting sick due to low immunity at their age.
So for me, the nanny option was also not working out as she left suddenly without any prior intimation after stealing my valuables. Luckily I got it afterward after a lot of coercing her. This incident has actually frightened me and unraveled the repercussions of keeping the nanny.
Then I finally decided to resign from my job. I was convinced that the decision is most appropriate to take in spite of many acquaintances suggesting not to do so. For me, being a homemaker, as well as a working mother, is equally noble. I have earned the experience of both a homemaker as well as a working mother. Both have their own challenges as well as perks. In recent times there are lots of options for remote work as well as opportunities for women who have taken a career break. Reputed multinational companies have launched a women’s return-ship program.
There are a number of platforms now where women can get back to work. So when the kid is a bit grown up, one can be back on duty. There will always be people questioning your decision and burdening you with your opinions and unwanted suggestions. Always remember that you have to figure it out after discussing it with your loved ones and taking cognizance of the prevailing situation as another person will never have the ideas of the nitty and gritty of the circumstances you are facing. Any decision in life is not absolute. It has its own pros and cons. It depends on the individual which part of the decision he/she is ready to accept and forgo the other part.
Is she crazy to leave her Government Job?
No Decision is easy
Homemaker or Job maker
A working mother always has a tough choice
Work-life balance is easier said than done
Partner and family support
Makes the transition smooth
No one can be perfect
Because to err is human
Everyone has their own part of struggles
Be compassionate and considerate.
Top ways to Jump Start to Work after Career Break
Returning to the workforce after a career break of 5 years or more can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can use to increase your chances of getting a job in India. Here are five ways to get a job after a career break
Update your skills: Take courses or certifications in your field of expertise to keep your skills current and make yourself a more attractive candidate. Consider taking online courses or attending workshops to learn about the latest technologies and trends in your industry.
Network: Connect with former colleagues, friends, and family members who are working in your industry to gain insights about job openings and potential opportunities. Attend industry events and job fairs to meet with recruiters and hiring managers.
Be open to new opportunities: Consider taking on contract work or part-time positions to get your foot in the door. Temporary work can often lead to permanent positions and can be a great way to get your career back on track.
Tailor your resume and cover letter: Highlight your transferable skills and achievements in your resume and cover letter to show potential employers that you are still a valuable asset. Customize your application to fit the specific job requirements and responsibilities.
Be confident and persistent: Returning to work after a career break can be challenging, but stay confident in your abilities and keep a positive attitude. Don’t be discouraged by rejection and continue to apply for jobs that match your skills and experience. Remember that it may take time to find the right opportunity, but persistence will pay off.
Top Courses To earn money
There are many courses that housewives can take to earn money, depending on their interests and skills. Here are five options for courses that could help housewives earn money.
Digital Marketing: With the rise of social media and online business, digital marketing is in high demand. Housewives can take courses in areas such as SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and Google AdWords to learn how to promote products and services online.
Web Design and Development: Another skill in high demand is web design and development. Housewives can take courses in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other programming languages to create websites and web applications. They can also learn how to use popular content management systems like WordPress and Joomla.
Graphic Design: If you have a creative side, taking courses in graphic design can be a great way to earn money. Graphic designers create visual content such as logos, brochures, and website layouts. They can also specialize in areas like typography, illustration, or branding.
Photography and Videography: Housewives who have a passion for photography or videography can take courses to develop their skills and start offering their services to clients. They can specialize in areas such as portrait photography, event photography, or video production.
Language Translation: If you are bilingual or multilingual, taking courses in language translation can be a great way to earn money. Translators work on projects such as translating documents, websites, or audio and video content. They can also specialize in a particular industry or type of content, such as legal or medical translation.
