After a decade-long career break to raise my children, re-entering the workforce was a daunting prospect. However, my journey back into the professional world has been remarkably positive, thanks to an incredibly supportive company that has not only welcomed me with open arms, but also provided me with the flexibility and resources needed to thrive.
There are numerous reasons people choose to take a career break. In my situation, after having two of my three children, I recognized that the long hours demanded by my previous job were unsustainable without family or childcare support. As my children grew older and more independent, I began to consider returning to work – a decision driven by a desire to reconnect with my professional identity and contribute to the scientific community once again. But the prospect of re-entering the workforce after such a long break was intimidating. I was left wondering how I would fit back into the fast-paced world of work, and concerns about outdated skills, the shift in industry trends, and balancing work with family life loomed large.
The first thing to address was the vast gaping hole in my CV. While I had kept myself busy with volunteer work, including becoming a governor at a local school and setting up and running a thriving gardening club, I wasn’t convinced that those, along with my parenting skills, would be enough to entice a company to employ me. I had gotten stuck in the mindset of answering the dreaded question “What do you do?” with “Oh, I’m just a stay-at-home mum,” but was this really true? The more I thought about my career break, the more I realized that it had presented a unique and demanding set of challenges and experiences that maybe the right company would recognize and value.
Efficient time management is key when your ‘me time’ is limited to the length of a favorite television program. Tasks can be completed in record time because squeezing productivity into every available minute has become your greatest mission. Coffee breaks? Toilet breaks? Luxury! Gulping cold tea while simultaneously packing lunches, finding missing shoes, and conducting random times table tests is a normal occurrence.
Multitasking and strategic planning become second nature; answering emails, drafting reports, and prioritising work just take the place of three children demanding different things all at the same time, all needing to be in different places at once, with three different lunches!
Excellent communication skills are essential when you are negotiating with a toddler, explaining complex concepts to a child (why is the sky blue?), decoding teen slang, and delivering inspiring “because I said so” speeches every day. With these skills in your toolbox, you can be confident in communicating anything to anyone.
Running meetings in the workplace feels like a luxury retreat after a decade of running household strategy sessions where mutiny is a real possibility. No one there will draw on the walls, throw their food on the floor, or suddenly announce with a few minutes to go that they have in fact got the freeze-dried blueberry from their cereal well and firmly wedged up their left nostril (well one can hope!).
Handling critical deadlines doesn’t make me sweat after handling a year’s worth of norovirus, trips to all the local hospitals to get different body parts glued back together, and a last-minute art project (that should have taken all term not 10 minutes before the bus leaves).
Problem solving becomes habitual when you’re used to negotiating a ceasefire in a sibling squabble, figuring out how to disguise vegetables in dinner, and managing friendship issues with a group of teenage girls. These experiences make you adept at thinking on your feet and coming up with creative solutions.
Once the CV gap had been addressed, job applied for and interview successful, the challenges did not stop there. Another daunting issue – my wardrobe! I heaved my suitcase from the loft to find a time capsule of pre-pandemic fashion choices. My sharp suits looked at me with judgemental eyes, as if to say, “Really? You think you can still pull this off?” My children looked through with a seemingly horrified fascination whilst wondering aloud if these were their Great Granny’s belongings. Luckily, with flexible working and a smart/casual dress code policy, this was one challenge that was quickly overcome!
Ten years is a significant time to be out of the workplace, not least because working practices and cultures evolve rapidly. When I left the professional workspace, ‘hot desking’ was the latest thing (although invariably everyone had their favourite ‘hot desk’ and woe betide you if you sat there!). Now there is the rise of cloud computing, ubiquity of smartphones, development of AI, and the integration of advanced software tools for project management communication and data analysis. Tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom have become central to workplace collaboration and communication. Social media platforms have transformed how businesses engage with customers and market their products. LinkedIn, Instagram and Tiktok (although my kids won’t let me have this!) have become a vital part of brand building and marketing. So, while my transferrable skills were extant, my knowledge of working practices was not.
Nonetheless, Scientific Group’s approach to integrating returning professionals has been nothing short of inspiring. Their foresight in valuing the skills I already had plus the ones I developed during my time away has been incredibly refreshing. It’s heartening to work for an organization that understands and appreciates the diverse experiences that life outside the traditional workplace can bring. Understanding the complexities of juggling family responsibilities with a professional career, the company offers flexible working hours that allow me to balance both aspects of my life. I can work from home or adjust my hours to accommodate school or volunteering events, and I’ve been offered comprehensive onboarding and training programs to help me get up to speed with the latest technologies and methodologies. Additionally, I have been paired with a mentor, buddy and supportive line manager who all help guide me through the transition, providing invaluable advice and support.
Taking a career break does not need to mean the end of a professional career. With the right support from the right company, it is possible to return to the workforce successfully. Here’s to a new chapter!
