Quit My Job to Keep My Family Together: How a Returner Program Made My 6-Year Career Break Easier

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ramya Ramesh, 39, who lives in New Jersey. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

In 2018, I was faced with a big decision: quit my job and move to Canada with my husband for a year, or stay in the US alone with our 4-year-old daughter. I had spent practically my whole career working in the semiconductor industry, first at IBM, and then at GlobalFoundries. When my husband was offered a work assignment in Canada, I quit to keep our family together.

We expected the assignment to keep us in Canada for a year, but factors including COVID and getting pregnant meant we weren't ready to move back to the US until 2023, 4½ years after we first moved. When I looked for work again after six years away, I ruled out the semiconductor industry because I feared the environment had changed too much. Then, a re-entry program at my previous company helped me ease back into the workforce.

Language Barriers and Childcare Needs Stopped Me from Working in Canada

When we arrived in Montreal, I knew French was the primary language, but I underestimated how important fluency was for life and work. I struggled to communicate even at my daughter's daycare and the doctor's office. I looked into semiconductor jobs, but adverts required French proficiency. I took French classes for over a year, but the pandemic hit in 2020, and I became pregnant with our second child. It didn't feel like a good time to look for a job.

I Was Worried About Finding Work, But My Niche Skills Gave Me an Advantage

I knew my career gap was getting longer, and I worried if I'd ever find a job. I explored event management and substitute teaching, but nothing clicked. In August 2024, former colleagues at GlobalFoundries informed me the company was hiring for a role in my old department. They said people remembered me, which encouraged me to apply. During the technical interview, my break didn't seem like a big deal. My answers demonstrated that I felt confident about asking for support as a returnee. My prior experience gave me an advantage because my area of expertise is very niche—it's more like plug-and-play for someone who's done this before.

My Company's Returner Program Showed Me You Can Get Back to Work with Support

In October 2024, I rejoined GlobalFoundries. The first two weeks were overwhelming, but the HR department really helped. The company's re-entry program offered structured support, including basic training and assigned mentors. When I was confused by abbreviations, my mentor connected me with another returner who shared a list. For the first month or two, HR checked in weekly to ask how they could help. The support I received showed me that returning to your career after a long gap is possible.

My Career Break Changed My Approach to Work

Living in a different country with a different language during the pandemic forced me to be proactive about seeking solutions. I apply this to my work today. If I hit a hurdle, I get perspective from multiple people and resolve the issue. Before the break, I might have only reached out to one person, but I'm more confident now. I think I'm more effective at technical problems and more visible inside the organization than before. I don't have any regrets about taking time away from work to enjoy time with my children. I'd absolutely recommend a career break to others who can financially support themselves. Nowadays, there are many programs at companies that accept returners, and there are ways to get back into work.