'At 37, twice laid off and a mother': PhD holder on rebuilding life in early 40s, becoming her own boss and earning in lakhs
Dr. Priya Porwal faced career setbacks after motherhood and two layoffs. She decided to take control of her life and started a digital business in her late 30s. This move allowed her to achieve financial independence and be present for her child. ...
By ET Online | Updated:
Often, a job does not work out the way we want it to. And for women, motherhood brings in another set of challenges. But who knew that for one woman, getting laid off twice and embracing motherhood would star over again in her late 30s and end up earning in lakhs. While it may seem like she made a strong comeback, it was more than that, she decided to be independent and took over the reins of her life.
Dr Priya Porwal shared her journey on social media, opening up about the turning points that forced her to rethink everything she had built over more than a decade. At 35, she gave birth to her first child, a moment that brought joy but also marked an abrupt pause in a 12-year-long career. What followed was not a smooth transition back into work, but a series of professional setbacks that tested her resilience.
She had spent years working as an assistant professor in an engineering college, building her career with dedication. However, after five years of service, she was laid off, an experience that took months to process and recover from. Determined to rebuild, she stepped back into academia, taking up roles as a visiting faculty member across multiple colleges. Eventually, she secured another academic position, but this time, the work environment did not align with her expectations, leading to yet another professional dead end.
Dr Priya Porwal shared her journey on social media, opening up about the turning points that forced her to rethink everything she had built over more than a decade. At 35, she gave birth to her first child, a moment that brought joy but also marked an abrupt pause in a 12-year-long career. What followed was not a smooth transition back into work, but a series of professional setbacks that tested her resilience.
She had spent years working as an assistant professor in an engineering college, building her career with dedication. However, after five years of service, she was laid off, an experience that took months to process and recover from. Determined to rebuild, she stepped back into academia, taking up roles as a visiting faculty member across multiple colleges. Eventually, she secured another academic position, but this time, the work environment did not align with her expectations, leading to yet another professional dead end.
Restarting her career
Restarting was far from easy, even with strong academic credentials that included an M.Tech, an MBA, and a doctorate. The timing made it even more challenging, with the disruptions of COVID and the demands of motherhood reshaping her priorities and possibilities. By 37, she found herself at a crossroads—raising a young child, having faced two layoffs, and feeling that her financial independence had stalled. That was the moment she decided to take control and rebuild on her own terms.Choosing online world
The decision to start from scratch came with its own fears. She described being camera-shy and uncertain about stepping into the online world. In fact, she went as far as blocking friends and family before beginning, choosing to shield herself from judgment as she experimented with something completely new. At that stage, her expectations were modest—she simply hoped to recover the money she had invested. But beneath that was a deeper motivation, a need to prove something to herself beyond financial success.ADVERTISEMENT
Her shift into the digital space gradually transformed into a sustainable business. Over time, she carved out a path that allowed her to work independently while also being present for her child every day. The flexibility and control she had once lost became the very foundation of her new career. In the last year alone, she earned a five-figure income in USD through her digital business, translating into lakhs in earnings, a milestone that reflected both persistence and reinvention.
Internet reacts
Many users shared deeply personal stories, saying the post felt relatable and reassuring. One spoke about a similar journey of working as an assistant professor after completing an MTech, pausing her career after marriage and motherhood, and struggling to return during COVID due to not having a PhD, eventually shifting to school teaching while facing judgment from peers. Others highlighted how researchers remain underpaid and underappreciated despite intense effort. Another user described becoming a mother at 38 and now rebuilding her career while managing childcare alone, finding comfort in knowing she is not alone in this journey.Download
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