I left my job and became a housewife. Doing an internship at 31 helped me pivot to a new industry 7 years later.
A woman took a 7-year career break as a housewife and stay-at-home mom. She said an internship helped her get back to work at age 31.
Mounika Chinnam, a 33-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh, India, took a seven-year career break to focus on raising her son. After leaving her tech job at 23, she became a stay-at-home mom, caring for her premature son born at 32 weeks. During her career break, Chinnam felt her confidence was low, as she didn't have the time to upskill or pursue further education.
However, when her son turned 6 years old, he started asking why she didn't work like other people. This made her reconsider her career and look for a new opportunity. Chinnam applied for a business development associate role at a digital marketing company, acknowledging her lack of experience but emphasizing her multitasking skills in managing her household.
The company offered her a two-month internship, leading to a full-time position as a business development lead in August 2024. Chinnam believes that taking a smaller opportunity like an internship is the first step toward rebuilding confidence and creating new opportunities after a career break.
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