A Heartfelt Woman Back to Work Story
Akraya has been leading the 'Women Back to Work' initiative for several years. Every once in a while I receive a note such as the one below that reminds me and my team on why we do this.
"Thank you is not enough for the wonderful opportunity to let me participate in the Equinix Women Back to Work event. I have been excited from the day I received the invite. It has been 5 years since I stepped inside an office campus and I have waited for a long time for the day when I can meet recruiters and speak with them directly. I started looking for jobs from mid-2016, and it is difficult to find people who are ready to accept someone with a break.
I understand the job market may be good but it’s still very tough on people like us. It is sometimes heartbreaking and very painful. I have a 29-year-old younger sister who is mentally challenged. My mom till date believes some miracle will happen and she will be normal. There is nothing my mom has not tried on my sister; treatments, prayers, schools, therapies, sports, art and craft. I look up to my mom to have that courage and faith to continue in the face of adversity.
When my child was born, I wanted to ensure that everything was perfect for my son, in terms of health. I wanted to ensure that he is walking, talking, laughing, eating, and smiling. His birth has given everyone in my family including my sister much happiness. I started to look for work after my son started preschool. I want my parents to feel confident that I will be able to continue to care for my sister as they get older. It is a blessing that my husband and my son are very understanding and accept my family as I do.
What you are doing through Akraya is a selfless service, I am thankful for this opportunity. From the day I received the invite until now, I am utilizing the time to get my resume ready, preparing for interviews, and I feel positive now. I feel strongly that staying at home to take care of my child and being a support system for my sister has helped me tremendously. I am fiercely ambitious, sincere, dedicated to tasks at hand, can multi-task and collaborate with others on critical deadlines. The same level of dedication I have toward my family will reflect in my profession.
People like me will know the value of having a badge, a place to sit and work in, and people to talk to and smile with. It is very important now that I return to the workforce."
