I took a 7-year career break to care for my parents. I lost my professional identity — then found a new one.
A "raging workaholic" left her job to care for her aging parents. What she thought would be a two-year break lasted 7.5 years.
Natasya Pawanteh, a 45-year-old woman from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, decided to take a 7½-year career break to care for her ailing parents. This as-told-to essay details her journey, which transformed her professional identity and led her to a new path.
In 2017, Pawanteh was a dedicated geologist at Shell in Sarawak, Malaysia, focusing on expanding her expertise. She often worked weekends and late nights, neglecting her health and sleep. Meanwhile, her sisters were caring for her parents, who had both suffered strokes years earlier. With her own health and their well-being on her mind, Pawanteh left her job in May 2018, planning to return to her career within two years.
However, her career break extended far beyond expectations. After seven and a half years of full-time caregiving, she found herself questioning her purpose and the value of her professional identity. Despite initial doubts, stepping back from her geology career and pursuing a new path proved to be a rewarding experience.
During her time caring for her parents, Pawanteh developed a newfound appreciation for the value of kindness and helping others. This shift in perspective led her to volunteer for Kechara Soup Kitchen Society, where she found a new career path as an assistant to the general manager. She credits her career break for teaching her patience and helping her navigate interpersonal relationships more effectively.
Pawanteh encourages others who have taken career breaks to explore new opportunities and embrace the unexpected possibilities that lie ahead.
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