VMInclusion Taara- The wind beneath my wings

-This post is attributed to Sapna G, a technology professional on a break, mother of two and one of the first VMInclusion Taara graduates.

I always knew I wanted to work and do well professionally. As I grew older I also knew that being there for my family and particularly my children was also a top priority for me. But I didn’t expect that I would have to choose between the two. And leave one for the other for a long seven and a half years.

My career has had its share of ups and downs, and while I was doing well professionally, I didn’t want to miss out on the little joys of life, most importantly motherhood. After I had my first child, I found myself juggling between my profession and family life, trying to stay afloat yet failing miserably. My mornings began with Skype calls with the client and moved on to multiple meetings and grueling hours of work in the office. I felt guilty for not being there for my child and hated missing special moments of their life. When I found out that I was expecting my second child, I knew that I didn’t want to continue to juggle responsibilities as I did before. I decided to take a break from work.

Time to go back!

I had a successful career and years of hard work helped me carve a niche for myself in the professional world. Like many young women, it made me feel confident and empowered and happy. And once my children were old enough and more independent, I knew I owed it to myself to restart my career. But, I was left aghast after I realized how much the industry had changed over the years. All my years of expertise and knowledge suddenly seemed to fade away and I slowly saw my self-confidence tear up like a thin wall.

I frantically started applying for jobs for which were under-qualified and would undermine my true skills. And soon drifted in a downward spiral where there was no way to get back at what I really loved. I found myself lagging far behind in terms of the latest industry trends and new technologies and felt left out in the crowd.

How ‘VMInclusion Taara’ gave me my wings back

When it seemed like all my hope was lost, I heard of VMware’s returnee program ‘VMInclusion Taara’ and realized there were more women out there like me who have been trying to pave their way back in the workforce again. More importantly, I realized that there was a chance for me to get back to work. VMinclusion Taara’s free technical education and certification courses have helped me upskill myself and learn the latest digital transformation technologies. I feel confident about my skillsets and am raring to go again.

A small career break can change your life in so many ways. There is a dire need for inclusive returnee programs with a focus on retraining and upskilling for women like me. I believe, VMInclusion Taara is no less than a guiding star in my life which has empowered me to blend into the workforce. Sometimes, women have no choice but to take a break from work, and it is reassuring to know that organizations like VMware have our backs with initiatives like ‘VMInclusion Taara’ that actually empower women and help us fly again.