Shigraf Nageen, Senior Consultant at Deloitte Ireland in Audit & Assurance (11-year career break)
I started my career as a Chartered Accountant, working with EY Pakistan and other reputable organizations for three and a half years before I married, had my first child, and realised that my priorities had changed. My focus became my baby and my family, and during this time, we also moved to the Middle East.
Sometimes, the environment we live in influences the choices we make. For me, the Middle East became a comfort zone. I always tell people that peer pressure is legitimate at every age. Whether it’s the kind of friends you have or the kind of environment you are in, you can start mimicking that. Sometimes, it takes you away from your ambitions and what you had imagined yourself to be. I think the Middle East was that for me. It was a comfort couch where I forgot some of my ambitions for a while.
Two years ago, we moved to Ireland, and suddenly, everything changed. I found myself surrounded by ambitious professionals, people who were excelling in their careers while managing their families. I met women who were doctors, head lecturers, executives, and senior executives—all while being the perfect parent too. This environment made me question: had I let go of my ambitions too easily? Had I missed out on years of growth and achievement? I didn’t regret the time spent with my children, but I knew it was time to carve out something for myself again.
Despite being out of the workforce, I had never completely stopped learning. During my break, I pursued certifications relevant to my field and even completed an MBA. I still knew that one day, I would return to work, and I wanted to be ready.
The reality of job hunting with an 11-year gap was daunting. I faced lots of rejections. Then, in May 2023, I stumbled upon the Deloitte Ireland Return to Work programme. I applied immediately and went through the interview process, but unfortunately I didn’t make it onto the programme. However, they encouraged me to apply again. I didn’t give up, and in 2024, I reapplied, and this time, I got the call that changed everything. I still remember the moment – I had just picked up my son from school when I got the news. My son was so delighted, and that was the first time I saw him so proud of me for achieving something that was not related to motherhood. His eyes were beaming with pride; he rushed home and broke the news to his father that “Mama got the job!”. That’s when I realised that everything was worth it.
Starting over wasn’t easy. I’ve had moments of self-doubt, comparing myself to colleagues who hadn’t taken a break. I worried about saying something wrong, making a mistake, or not being able to keep up. But with time, I realised these were just mind traps.
My return-to-work experience has been varied. During the first few months, there was a lot of happiness and relief after countless rejections, but you are still trying to catch up. You have the skills, but you’re trying to restart your engine. Balancing family and working life is daunting and challenging, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. After every challenge you unlock, there is that new sense of achievement and a sense of bravado: “I did this. I can do anything now.” You get braver, but you still need to have resilience to keep going and to keep facing new challenges.
Advice I’d offer to others considering a return to work is to, first of all, be clear about your intention. Work on your motives—why do you want to work? Once you have that clarity, take that leap of faith and look for jobs, but also start planning so that you are best placed to seize opportunities when they arise.
Seven months into my new role, I feel a sense of achievement and belonging. My 6-month placement has turned into a permanent contract with Deloitte Ireland, taking on challenging projects, and continuing to learn every day!
