Layoffs and losing jobs is often seen as a setback, but for some, it becomes a turning point. A post shared on Instagram by Dr. Priya Porwal is drawing attention for showing how repeated job loss, along with motherhood, can reshape a career rather than end it.
In her post, Porwal said her first layoff came at a significant point in her personal life. She had just become a mother at the age of 35, after working for five years as an Assistant Professor in an engineering college. “It took months to recover – it felt like the ground had shifted,” she wrote in the caption.
She then stepped away from her career to focus on raising her child. During this time, she faced uncertainty about how to move forward professionally. When she attempted to return, the process was not straightforward. “I tried again. Worked across multiple colleges as visiting faculty. Then a second academic position – but the work culture didn’t align. Another door closed,” she added.
Despite her qualifications, including an M.Tech, MBA, and a Doctorate, stable opportunities remained limited. She said the situation became more difficult during the COVID-19 period, when many sectors faced disruption. “It was tough to restart holding multiple degrees (M.Tech, MBA, and a Doctorate). But COVID and motherhood changed everything,” she explained.
Instead of continuing to pursue traditional roles, Porwal chose a different direction. She began exploring independent work and later built a career in digital and affiliate marketing. Over time, this shift allowed her to establish a steady income and greater control over her schedule.
She shared, “A message to every woman here: Maternity is NOT a career full stop. After facing so much, I decided no one will have the right to control my life.I became my own boss. I work while being present for my son, every single day.”
Her post has led to responses from users who related to her experience, especially the challenge of rebuilding confidence after setbacks. One user commented, “This is powerful…But the hardest part isn’t restarting your career- it’s rebuilding your identity after everything made you question it.”
Another wrote, “You are doing the right thing. And somewhere I understand or maybe can’t even imagine how much strength and courage it will take to step up again and again after every single time uh fall. Keep going gurl. keep fighting,”
A third user shared, “It’s so powerful. I understand the feelings. Since I am also an assistant professor PHD holder but left my career after pregnancy. It’s been eight years now, but some how I stuck between the motherhood.”