Photo: Equation of Myself_ Munia Ali
Career Break After 12 Years: More Than Numbers — My Journey in Finance and Life
If you have read my first blog, you know a little about my story. But let me tell you — those 12 years in finance and humanitarian work, leading up to my career break after 12 years, were never easy. Where I come from, nothing was smooth.
Many professionals today are rethinking work and taking a career break
— using it as a chance for growth, reflection, and realignment. For me, after 12 years in finance and humanitarian work, the decision was not just about rest. It was about rediscovering my worth, my voice, and the path I truly belong to. I want to share my journey so that maybe, when I talk about my learnings, someone else can connect.
If you haven’t read my first blog, Why I Am Taking a Career Break After 12 Years, you can check it out here.
The Beginning: Society Tried to Box Me In
I come from a middle-class family in Bangladesh where education matters — but only up to a point. For women, it’s often: get some education, then get married, and that’s it. Even in Dhaka, the capital city, this mentality is still common.
But I was always wired differently. Since childhood, I kept questioning: Why should my life be determined by society’s rules? At the end of the day, I’m the one who has to live it, and I’m responsible for it.
Breaking free wasn’t easy. My mother supported me fully, and her courage gave me strength. But family and society pressure was always there. Even in university, I often felt lost. I wasn’t clear about which path to take.
Starting My Career: From Absolute Zero
When I began my first job in 2013, I had no plan. After completing my honors degree, I started working because I needed a job.
The reality? I didn’t even know how to run a computer properly, or use Microsoft Excel or Word. Bangladesh was moving forward, but my own lifestyle and opportunities hadn’t caught up. I had to learn every single basic thing that others often took for granted, because they had guidance or better facilities.
At the same time, I was doing my master’s. There was no proper support system. The internet wasn’t easily accessible for me. But I had one thing: hunger to learn. My dreams were big — maybe too big to even imagine properly back then — but I kept going.
The Harsh Reality: Being Undervalued
In my job, my real learning began. I worked hard, and I learned everything I could. But there was another reality I couldn’t ignore.
Despite being honest, loyal, and hardworking, I felt undervalued as a woman. Less pay, less recognition than men. It stayed in my mind for years, but I didn’t have the courage to speak up.
Looking back, I realize I had everything: a learning mind, honesty, loyalty, hard work, big dreams. But I lacked courage and confidence. When I left that job after 7 years, I promised myself: Whatever happens next, I will never stay silent. I will raise my voice.
Switching to the humanitarian sector was one of the boldest steps of my life. For the first time, I stepped fully out of my comfort zone — away from home, away from everything familiar. The more I worked, the more I realized: This is where I belong. I was finally making an impact. For the first time, I found mentors. Maybe only for a short while, but it was worth everything.
The Career Break After 12 Years: The Question That Changed Everything
After almost 5 years, one question kept echoing in my mind:
If I remove the organization’s name from my identity — who am I?
That question pushed me to leave a stable job again. After 12 years of struggles, resilience, and so many ups and downs, I chose to explore myself. I took a career break after 12 years.
This time, it will be different. I am more mature. I had experience, learnings, and some guidance. I know what I want. And for the first time, I felt my journey is truly beginning.
Why I’m Telling You All This
Three reasons:
- Many people keep asking me, so maybe this answers them.
- I know many people face similar fears or even harder journeys. If my story can support even one person, that will be enough.
- Someday I want to look back and remember this moment clearly.
What 12 Years Taught Me
After a 12-year career in finance and humanitarian work, I took a career break. Here are the lessons I learned more than numbers.
About Knowing Your Worth
- Never underestimate yourself — not for family, friends, organizations, not even for yourself.
- Never settle for less. People don’t always care — you must value yourself.
About Finding Your Voice
- Speak up for yourself and others. If you can’t raise your own voice, how can you for others?
- Step out of your comfort zone. It’s not easy, but it’s the only way forward.
About Growth
- Work hard, but also invest in your own growth.
- Be your own motivator. Many nights I felt low, but I had to rise again the next day. That’s where true resilience builds.
- Keep right learning. Not just any learning, but the kind that truly adds value. Your right knowledge is the only thing truly yours.
About Dreams
Pursue what you want — no matter your age, gender, or situation. Life will pass anyway, so why not live without regrets.
About Relationships
- Don’t sacrifice your mental peace for others. Be kind to them, but also to yourself.
- Be thankful to anyone who teaches you something. Every person and every failure brings a lesson.
- Stay authentic, and good will come in time.
About Making Impact
- Empathy matters more than anything. Anyone can do work, but impact comes from those who feel it.
- People matter more than numbers. Every story counts.
- A good mentor is precious — not just to guide, but to listen. So Be That One.
Last but most important — never stop. Just keep going.
A New Chapter
My real journey is starting now. I know what I want, even if I don’t yet know where the path will lead me, but what I have today is courage and my voice. And that’s enough to begin again — this time, as completely myself — with Equation of Self.
What part of this feels familiar in your own journey?