Faught a long battle against the career break slump, only to emerge victorious and land a job that brings me immense joy
Renu Amin, a 40-year-old mechanical engineer, has made a remarkable comeback to her profession after a 10-year career break to raise her son, Dominic. Hailing from India, Renu worked as a Piping and Machinery designer in a shipyard before moving to the UK with her family.
Upon arriving in the UK, Renu faced the daunting task of finding a job in her field. However, the challenges were numerous, and she found herself sending several hundred applications without success. In an effort to get back into the workplace, she took on jobs for which she was over-qualified, working in a supermarket and an optician's.
Renu's fortunes changed when she discovered the STEM Returners program through the Women's Engineering Society. This programme provided her with the opportunity to join local engineering firm, Aquilar Nuclear. After a 12-week program, she was offered a permanent role as a Mechanical Design Engineer, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Renu's story is inspiring for many who may be struggling to return to work after a career break. Her dedication and perseverance have paid off, and she now finds herself mentally challenged and feeling valued in her current role at Aquilar Nuclear. In fact, she was the first person to gain recognition as a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers at the company.
Renu's role at Aquilar Nuclear has grown every year, and she works with various teams across multiple projects. She continues to push and develop herself professionally, and is near completing her Master of Science qualification.
For those looking to return to engineering after a career break, several resources are available. Programmes such as STEM Returners, Cummins Inc. RePower Program, HNTB Returning New Grad Engineer Positions, and Returning Engineer Intern/Co-op at Duke Energy offer paid placements, mentoring, and career support specifically aimed at addressing the challenges faced by professionals re-entering engineering. These programmes combine financial support with mentoring and career assistance to help individuals refresh skills and rebuild networks.
Renu's husband, Peter, worked while she took a career break to raise Dominic. Peter's company posted him back to England in 2020, coinciding with Dominic starting high school. With her son settled in school and her career back on track, Renu is once again making her mark in the engineering world.
- Renu Amin, a mechanical engineer, emphasizes the importance of health-and-wellness in her personal-growth journey.
- Renu, now a Mechanical Design Engineer at Aquilar Nuclear, values education-and-self-development, currently nearing completion of her Master of Science qualification.
- Renu's transformative journey serves as a beacon for women's health, demonstrating that career-development is possible after a family break.
- Homes sometimes witness pauses in professional growth due to family responsibilities, as evidenced by Renu's 10-year career break to raise her son.
- Beauty lies in resilience, as shown by Renu, who, even amidst numerous job-hunting challenges, managed to secure a permanent role in her field.
- Returning back to work post a career break can be a daunting task, but initiatives like STEM Returners and others offer support, such as paid placements, mentoring, and career guidance.
- Renu's inspiring story resonates with the belief that knowledge and skills can be revisited through learning, regardless of the time gap – a testament to the dynamism of the home, family, and career landscape.
