I quit my job at Microsoft to be a more present mother. I'm not worried about finding a new job — I have a plan.

• Kruthika Jayatheertha left her Microsoft job to take an extended career break after maternity leave.
• She believes being present during her child's early years is crucial for their development.
• She shared her plans to reenter the workforce after her 18-month break.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kruthika Jayatheertha, a millennial based in Bangalore, India. It has been edited for length and clarity.

In October 2024, my husband and I welcomed our first child into the world. I took a six-month maternity leave, which was provided through my senior user experience researcher job at Microsoft. During that time, I decided to turn it into a more extended career break. I resigned from my position, and my employment formally ended a few months later.

I've long known that whenever I had a child, I'd want to take this kind of break — a decision shaped by my studies of psychology, a field in which I earned a Ph.D. I believe the first three years of a child's life are crucial for their development — and that having a present mother with a strong emotional connection can significantly shape a child's mental health for life.

Taking a career break is a deeply personal decision, but it was clear to me that stepping away from work was the right choice.

My family's finances allowed me to take a step back

I know that taking a career break isn't for everyone, and I recognize it's a privilege to have been able to make this choice.

Based on our savings and my husband's continued income from his consulting job, we felt comfortable with me taking a step back. We currently have a full-time nanny to help with childcare, and my parents also visit often to support us.

While we remain financially comfortable, my husband and I have chosen to scale back a bit on travel — at times opting for domestic trips instead of international ones to help manage costs.

Taking a career break has allowed me to be a part of my daughter's milestones

Being around my daughter full-time has allowed me to witness many of her "firsts" — crawling, standing, wobbly walks — without hearing about them secondhand. I've enjoyed the unhurried routines of feeding, bathtime, bedtime, and playtime that don't have to be squeezed in between meetings.

My plan is to take an 18-month career break and return to work when my daughter turns one and a half in April. When that time comes, I plan to explore part-time or freelance opportunities — with the potential for the right full-time role. This would give me the flexibility to balance my professional commitments and time with my daughter.

I'd consider going back to Microsoft, but my priority is flexibility

Given that I'd be returning to work during the crucial first three years of my daughter's life, I'd want a role that allowed me to maintain her morning and evening routines as consistently as possible. Even short bursts of undivided attention can go a long way in preserving our emotional connection.

I'll likely target roles similar to the user experience researcher position I held at Microsoft. I'd also be open to returning to Microsoft — especially if a part-time opportunity were available.

If not for maternity leave and my desire to prioritize my baby, there's a good chance I'd still be working at Microsoft. I liked the company, enjoyed my time, and felt the culture was a good fit.

I have a specific job search plan to help me return to work after my career break

I know it can sometimes be challenging to find work after taking a career break, but I feel a certain level of comfort because of the diverse set of skills and experiences I've built. My skills range from working as an assistant professor to consulting at a Big Four firm to my role at Microsoft.

In today's volatile job market, I believe that skill diversification is the new form of job security. I also believe my network will be valuable as I look to make a return to work. One of my college professors once said, "If you are not networking, you are not working," and that wisdom has stayed with me. Even during my break, I've continued to network with industry peers and recruiters.

Once I begin my job search, I'll try to ensure I'm among the first 50 applicants for any role I apply to, to increase my chances. I'll also set notifications for job postings of interest and explore how AI tools can assist me throughout the process.

Overall, I believe everything is "figureoutable," and that one way or another, I will find a way to get a job.

My legacy shouldn't be defined by my career

While a career break isn't the right choice for everyone, what matters most is that mothers are happy and fulfilled — because babies need happy, present moms, whether that comes from a job, a career break, or a mix of part-time work and parenting.

I wish policymakers across the globe made it easier for at least one parent to step away from work during those critical early years of a child's life. As a society, I believe we need to prioritize children during this crucial stage of development — and some countries have taken meaningful steps in that direction.

My legacy shouldn't be defined solely by my career or professional accomplishments — it's also about contributing to the next generation: emotionally resilient, mentally healthy, empowered children.