From Full-Time Mother to Business Lead: A Career Comeback at 33

Chinnam, 33, began her career in 2013 as a software developer in Andhra Pradesh. The trajectory shifted in 2019 when her son was born prematurely, requiring three months of intensive care. With her husband’s work demanding frequent travel, Chinnam stepped away from her role to prioritize her child’s health, a hiatus that stretched into seven years. During this time, the rapid evolution of the tech sector, marked by the rise of artificial intelligence, made the prospect of returning to her original field feel overwhelming.

By 2024, as her son entered school, Chinnam decided to seek a professional path that balanced her family responsibilities with her career aspirations. During an interview for a business development associate position at a digital marketing firm, she bypassed the temptation to mask her employment gap. Instead, she framed her years of domestic management as a masterclass in multitasking and organizational leadership. The firm offered her an internship, which she began in June 2024. Despite the initial discomfort of working alongside colleagues significantly younger than her, Chinnam quickly leveraged her communication skills to boost client engagement on LinkedIn. By August 2024, the company transitioned her into a full-time role as a business development lead, validating her choice to restart at the bottom.