After taking a nine-year career break, Deepa faced challenges when trying to return to work. In May 2023, she joined the STEM ReCharge Return to Work Support Programme. This opportunity led Deepa to secure a Project Control Returner Role at Jacobs UK through the STEM Returners placement.
Upon finishing the STEM Returners programme at Jacobs UK, Deepa was offered a permanent position as a Project Planner.
Read Deepa’s story:
Tell us a little bit about you
I’m Deepa, I graduated from Anna University, India in 2007 with a degree in civil engineering.
What is your working background? If you like, tell us about your career break
I started my career as a Planning Engineer in Bangalore India, where I got expertise in developing baseline programmes and tracking actual progress against the approved master schedule in Primavera and planning resources through ERP.
I worked on multi-storey residential buildings with an estimated value of £18 million. After two years of experience in residential, my passion to work on infrastructure projects pushed me to find a job in Delhi.
I upgraded my skills as a planning engineer in the structural glazing and cladding works department, working at Delhi International Airport. I was fascinated to witness the massive construction of a 5.4 million sq ft terminal building (handling 34 million passengers per annum), a 4.43km long runway (the longest in Asia) built at the cost of £1.2 billion, making it the eighth largest airport in the world.
With acquired skills in structural glazing and cladding work, I got promoted from planning to the bid writing department where I gained skills in competitive bid writing. My initiation into motherhood was not easy, miscarriages, demands of caring for a preterm baby – all these intense emotional waves made me look at life from a different perspective. I then took a very long career break to raise my family which was by far my most challenging and rewarding role.
What barriers have you faced when applying for roles?
I started trying to get back to work from 2019 and it was really, really difficult finding a new role post career break. I had unsuccessfully applied for so many different positions. As STEM Returners director Natalie says, it was like sending job applications into a black hole. Many recruiters seemed to believe that if you are not ‘currently’ or ‘recently’ employed then you and your knowledge are not relevant.
Why did you approach STEM Returners?
I struggled to find a clear direction to steer myself towards and that’s when I found STEM Returners through the STEM Recharge project.
How did STEM Returners help?
I was both thrilled and surprised to be accepted onto the programme and began a period of coaching and being mentored which was incredibly useful. The coaching aspect of the programme also provides group workshops which were both inspiring and helped with confidence building. Being part of the Returners Programme was great for getting over my fears, building career objectives, networking, strengthening my personal branding, and using my core skills and previous experiences in my new role. Through STEM Returners, I’ve discovered so many invaluable skills and qualities within myself, which I still find amusing.
What was the end result?
I applied for a Project Control Returner Role with Jacobs. The interview was scheduled and within an hour after the interview I was offered the job, which wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support from the STEM Returners team. I also got a mentor through the STEM Returners programme who has been mentoring me throughout my 12 weeks programme. From the moment I joined the STEM Returners programme until now, it was all positive interactions and full of hope and possibilities.
How has this changed your career?
I found being back at work challenging to say the least! The last time I had worked as a Planning or Bid Engineer I had a filing cabinet full of paper files. The technology that I had to get to grips with was overwhelming at times. And it is really exhausting when everything you’re doing is new to you, but some of the things that go wrong can actually get you to a better place eventually. Although the work challenged me at first, I gained valuable skills which enabled me to obtain a good grasp of the design consultancy business and helped me to network within the company and get a permanent position within Jacobs.
What would you say about the programme overall?
The STEM Returners programme has provided me with a remarkable opportunity to reignite my career. The experience of being on the programme doesn’t just add to what we know, it actually shapes us into better professionals.
Do you have any advice for returners like yourself?
To my esteemed fellow Returners, I urge you: don’t hesitate to explore the STEM Returners Programme. It’s in these adventures that we discover just how much we’re capable of and the endless possibilities waiting for us. Take advantage of the opportunities that are out there, specifically designed for returners, which prepare you for the world of work! For me this was the best pathway. Make your CV stand out, network, promote yourself with an impressive elevator pitch during the interview. Be clear, concise, resilient and curious.
If you would like to register your interest in joining a STEM Returners programme, please visit Returner Registration – STEM Returners or view our current programme opportunities here.