From PTA to PRDs: How I Came Back to Work After My Break
It’s been a while since I wrote here. Life, motherhood, and a whole career pivot took over—and honestly, I didn’t have the time or headspace to blog. But I’m restarting now, because I have stories to tell. About career comebacks, parenting, tech, AI, identity, and everything in between.
This is where I begin again—with a story that’s close to my heart.
From PTA to PRDs: How I Came Back to Work After My Break
There was a time in my life when I wasn’t “Gayathri.”
I was just “Rishi’s mom.” Or “someone’s wife.”
And while being “Rishi-Sam’s mom” is hands down the best thing that ever happened to me, I couldn’t help but feel like I was losing myself. I missed being “Gayathri”—the person with ideas, opinions, and a career. The one who contributed to society beyond playdates and packed lunches.
This is the story of how I found my way back. From pumping milk in an office closet to pushing PRDs and solving Leetcode problems—I came full circle. And if you’re someone standing on the edge of a similar decision, I hope this story helps you take that next step, too.
When the Job No Longer Made Sense
Before I took a break, I was working as an accountant at a university, despite having a background in Computer Science and Economics. I didn’t love it. In fact, I hated it. The work was repetitive, uninspiring, and felt more like data entry than anything else. And the pay? Let’s just say it wouldn’t even cover daycare.
Luckily, my wonderful mom and mother-in-law stepped in to help when I had my first child. I got six weeks of unpaid leave (yes, unpaid) and stretched it to ten. But even that didn’t feel like enough. My baby was tiny. I wasn’t ready. But I went back to work anyway.
That’s when things really fell apart.
I started pumping at work—but not without consequences. I got mastitis, repeatedly. And every time I needed to pump, I had to clock out, unlike coworkers who could step out for smoke breaks whenever they pleased—no questions asked, no time docked.
So let’s pause here:
I was literally clocking out to raise and nourish the next generation, while others were allowed unlimited breaks to engage in a habit that harms their own health and others through secondhand smoke.
How is that tolerated? How is that fair?
But I said nothing.
I didn’t feel safe speaking up. So I did what many of us do—I kept my head down, worked through lunch, and absorbed the unfairness in silence.
And then there were the comments in the office fridge.
“What’s that?”
“Eww. I don’t want to touch it.”
“Make sure no one uses that as creamer!”
I tried to ignore it all. But I felt increasingly alienated. That’s when my husband helped me take a step back and really ask myself: Is this what I want for the next 10–20 years?
The answer was a clear, liberating no.
So I quit.
Rediscovering Myself (and Target on a Weekday)
I still remember the first time I went to Target on a weekday with my baby. It was oddly quiet. Peaceful. Almost surreal. Until the baby started screaming, of course. But still—freedom.
Life as a stay-at-home mom was beautiful and overwhelming. Slowly, I found my rhythm. I met other moms. Scheduled playdates. Discovered places like SHACK, where parents and kids could enjoy weekly activities together. Then came my second baby, and I was fully immersed in diapers, bottles, and lullabies.
But something started gnawing at me. I missed using my brain.
I needed more.
Creating My Own Space
So, I started doing things for me.
- I began teaching Carnatic vocal music to young kids (yes, it brought in some income—but I mostly did it for the joy).
- I became a Sunday school teacher (balvihar teacher), just to feel connected and useful.
- I started this blog to document little craft projects and experiments I did with my kids—nothing fancy, just creative sparks during naptime.
But after 3–4 years, even that wasn’t enough. The playdates and afternoon teas were starting to feel repetitive.
I was ready to go back to work.
Climbing Back, One Step at a Time
Coming back wasn’t easy. I had a long gap on my resume, two young kids, and a lot of catching up to do. But I also had one big advantage: a personal coach who lived in my house—my husband, a computer science professor.
Once both kids were in school and daycare, I made a decision: I would treat this like a full-time job.
I dusted off my CS fundamentals, watched YouTube tutorials, worked through Leetcode problems, and slowly rebuilt my confidence. Every day during those quiet hours, I chipped away at the gap. And then came the break that changed everything.
A small, woman-owned company called Agile 5 Technologies saw my potential. Despite the career gap on my resume, they took a chance on me—and placed me as a contractor for the FBI.
That opportunity was life-changing. I will forever be grateful to Agile 5 for looking beyond the gap and seeing the person behind it.
The FBI role required a security clearance—a process that took nearly 18 months. But Agile 5 didn’t leave me waiting on the sidelines. During that time, they gave me the opportunity to contribute to other projects, build up my skills, and re-enter the workforce with confidence.
By the time my clearance came through, I was ready to get back.
I had done it.
I had come back—not just to work, but to meaningful, impactful work.
And for the first time in years, it felt good to simply be called ‘Gayathri’ again—no labels, no qualifiers, just me.
It Takes a Team
I didn’t do it alone—no one really does. Every step of the way, I have the support of my husband. That’s what made this comeback possible. A strong partnership. A shared vision. And the belief that we’re in this together.
And I’m so grateful for that.
Reclaiming Myself—and Redefining Success
Coming back to work didn’t just help me reclaim my professional identity—it helped me reclaim myself.
But here’s the thing: there’s no one right way to do this. Whether you choose to stay home, go back to work, switch careers, or not have kids at all—there is no universal roadmap. People will criticize no matter what you do. Too ambitious. Not ambitious enough. Too hands-on. Too distracted. It never ends.
What matters is that you make the choice that’s right for you and your family—not the one society expects from you.
There’s no shame in wanting to stay home.
No shame in wanting to go back to work.
No shame in getting help.
No shame in chasing your dreams—or changing them.
So to all the moms out there wondering if they can do it: you absolutely can.
It doesn’t have to happen overnight. It doesn’t even have to look like a traditional career.
But if your inner voice is whispering there’s more for you—listen.
Because there is.
And it’s yours to define.
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