Re-Starting My Career In DATA ANALYTICS after a long Break : My Journey from India to the USA

Life often takes unexpected turns, and for me , that meant stepping away from my career for few years. Moving from India to the USA, adapting to a new culture , raising a child, navigating visa restrictions made my return to work even more challenging. After arriving on an H4 visa, I faced the tough reality of not being allowed to work. While I truly cherished the time I spent as a stay-at-home mom,a part of me always dreamed of restarting my career,my passion to work never faded, and I knew I had to find a way back. This is my journey---one filled with self-doubt, learning and perseverance .

The Decision to Restart My Career

Once I received my H4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document), I knew it was time to begin again . But where would I even start? I hadn't worked in IT for over a decade.The industry had changed, tools had evolved, and the thought of competing with professionals who had never taken a break felt overwhelming . The self-doubt was real.

That's when a friend introduced me to Numpy Ninja ---a platform designed specifically to help women restart their tech careers. Seeing so many others succeed despite similar gaps gave me hope. It reminded me that I wasn't alone and that it was possible to make a comeback.

Overcoming the Challenges of a Career gap

Re-starting after such a long break came with its own share of doubts, fears, and questions. Would I be able to catch up? Had I waited too long? Was it even possible to switch to a complete different field like data analytics? These thoughts were real. But instead of letting these thoughts hold me back, I decided to take it one step at a time. Here's how I started rebuilding my career-- and more importantly, my confidence:

1.Brushing up on Technical Skills

The first step was up skilling. Being a Mechanical Engineer graduate i didnt have much knowledge or hands-on experience in SQL,data analytics ,and other software tools and technologies typically required for a job in the IT or data domain. So I decided to upskill myself and joined Numpy Ninja- an online learning platform focused on data analytics and real-time projects.

Through this program,I gained a solid foundation in SQL, EXCEL, Power BI and Python. More importantly, I got the oppurtunity to work on real-world datasets,which helped me bridge the gap between theoritical knowledge and practical application. Their structured approach and hands-on projects helped me go from zero to building real dashboards and writing meaningful queries.

2.Building a Learning Routine

I created a daily learning schedule that worked around my family life.Even if it was just an hour a day, I made it consistent. That discipline helped me stay focused and not give up when things got tough.

1. 3.Working on Real Projects

   Theory can only take you so far. What really helped me grow was applying what I learned to real-world datasets--analyzing trends,building dashboards, and solving actual business problems.

   As part of my learning journey, I worked on several hands-on-projects. One of the was foscused on Sepsis Analysis, where I analyzed clinical data to identify early warning signs in patients. Another project involved Diabetes melilitus (DM), where I explored the relationship between blood pressure, medications, and lab values in diabetic patients. I created interactive dashboards using Tableau and Power BI to visualize key insights.

   

   APACHE ---MOD Analysis--->Click on the image to get directed to tableau dashboard

   These projects not only strengthened my technical skills but also gave me the confidence to solve meaningful problems. They became part of my portfolio--and more importantly, they reminded me of what I was truly capable of.

   4.Rebuilding Confidence

   After such a long gap, rebuilding my self-confidence was just as important as learning technical skills. Every small success--completing sprints, a project, writing a clean SQL query, doing SQL assignments, participating in Python and SQL hackathons ,or getting feedback on a dashboard--made me believe in myself a little more.

   

   Photo by Alysha Rosly on Unsplash

   5.Networking and Staying Connected

   I started connecting with others on LinkedIn, joining communities, and following people in the data world. Engaging with like-minded individuals helped me stay inspired and feel part of a larger journey.

   

   6.Updating My Resume and LinkedIn

   With a few meaningful projects and certifications under my belt, I'm now preparing to update my resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect my new skills and journey. I haven't made those updates just yet, as I'm currently focused on completing and publishing my two blogs with Numpy Ninja--a requirement before participating in the Jobathon.

   

   But I'm excited for what's next. Once the blogs are live, I'll be ready to showcase my work, share my journey publicly, and start applying for roles in data analytics. This phase feels like the final piece of the puzzle, and I'm looking forward to taking that next big step with confidence.

   7.Preparing for the Interviews(Next step!)

   Interviewing after a long career break is something I know will be challenging—and to be honest, the idea of it still feels intimidating. But instead of letting that fear take over, I’m choosing to see it as just another skill to learn.

   
   

   

   
   

   I haven’t started mock interviews or technical prep yet, but that’s my next goal. I plan to practice not just technical questions, but also how to confidently explain my career gap and transition into data analytics. I know the more I prepare, the more comfortable I’ll become—and I’m ready to take that step soon.

   8.Embracing a Growth Mindset

   One of the biggest shifts for me during this journey has been internal. I’ve learned to stop comparing myself to others or worrying about being "behind." I may not know everything yet—but I’ve realized that’s okay.

   
   

   

   Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash

   What matters is that I’m learning, growing, and showing up every day. Progress, not perfection. That mindset has kept me grounded and motivated, even when things feel uncertain.

Next Steps

                                      As I move forward, my immediate focus is on completing my blog contributions and participating in the Numpy Ninja Jobathon. Once that’s done, I’ll be updating my resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect my new skills and project experience. After that, it’s time to start preparing for interviews and applying for roles in data analytics.

There’s still a lot to learn and do, but I finally feel like I’m on the right path—and that feeling is priceless.

Closing Thoughts

                                        Restarting my career after an 11-year break hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly fulfilling. The journey has been filled with self-doubt, learning curves, and small victories that have slowly rebuilt my confidence.

I’m so grateful to Numpy Ninja and its amazing organizers for creating a supportive space for women like me who are trying to re-enter the tech world. The platform, the mentors, the community—it’s all made a huge difference in my journey. Just seeing others in similar situations succeed gave me the push I needed to believe in myself again.

                                          If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:" It’s never too late to start", Whether you’ve taken a break for a few years or more than a decade, you can always begin again. Take it one step at a time, be kind to yourself, and trust the process.Your second chance might just become your most meaningful chapter yet.