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From caregiving to education, more men and women are taking career breaks. Here’s how three associates came back better than ever.
Life is filled with meaningful experiences — and unexpected turns. Sometimes, these can include taking a career hiatus to care for loved ones or for self-discovery.
Such twists and turns are understood, accepted and celebrated at PepsiCo. We understand how these periods can inspire us with purpose.
At PepsiCo, we take pride in our inclusive community. We not only understand the value of your time away but also celebrate it. Your time, your story and your choices matter.
Here, three associates share their journeys back to work with PepsiCo.
My desire to work began at an early age, and I earned multiple degrees in food science and engineering. I took time off due to my husband’s international assignments, including Japan, England and Thailand, where I couldn’t work due to visa constraints. During this time, I honed my leadership and organization abilities through volunteering. Living in three different countries taught me adaptability, which is invaluable in my current role. Likewise, allowing my children to engage in these cultures was significantly important.
Returning to work wasn’t easy. I naively thought I could easily get a job after returning to the United States. The interview process was challenging, and I heard I was overqualified many times. Fortunately, there’s a growing focus on career breaks, helping eliminate the stigma.
“Returning to work is like going on auditions. Developing resilience is important.
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PepsiCo’s Ready to Return program caught my attention. After an info session where I learned more about the program, I reached out, highlighting my passion for innovation. I told them that my passion lies in that fuzzy front end of product development and anticipating consumers’ needs. They were more than happy to talk to me, and I got the job!
Currently, I’m doing a special assignment as an interim Innovation Manager, focusing on forecasting innovative products with our supply chain and collaborating with key customers, while a colleague is on maternity leave. This is my third role here so far. PepsiCo creates space for associates to explore a variety of roles and opportunities.
Returning to work is like going on auditions. Developing resilience is important. My advice: Find your people. Make sure you have a supportive network that can pull you up and cheer you on.
I took time off to care for my terminally ill mother and be present for my children during their formative years. I also built a portfolio of single-family rental units. These experiences developed my resilience, as well as my communication and negotiation skills. I learned to voice my opinions fearlessly.
Returning to work did not make me nervous. I knew I’d add value wherever I landed. Before returning, I obtained an MBA in finance to reestablish my credibility. Through the process, I realized that my experience, qualifications and overall value were greater than the break in my resume.
The PepsiCo interview process was a lot more personable. I told stories about who I was versus answering tricky hypothetical questions. They asked about my time away from work, but it was not the main focus. I really appreciated that.
“Be open to opportunities outside of your field. That’s how I ended up at PepsiCo.
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Currently, I’m a Demand Planner on the PGT Strategy & Transformation Team. It’s a project-based role where I am working on process improvements and identifying opportunities to develop tools to increase a demand planner’s overall efficiency. Returning to work has been a rewarding experience. I am refreshing my skills while forging new relationships. Most importantly, the break on my resume is closed.
Build resilience. There will be many interviews that may not lead to anything. Keep trying and remember your priorities. Be open to opportunities outside of your field. That’s how I ended up at PepsiCo. I had never worked in Supply Chain before. Although I ended up in a completely foreign function, I made it work because I have valuable skills that are practical anywhere.
I took a nine-month break to pursue my Ph.D., focusing on AI and machine learning. This break refreshed my passion and equipped me with cutting-edge knowledge benefiting my role at PepsiCo. Taking a break from work also allowed me to really pause and discover new passions.
Taking time off boosted my confidence. It provided me with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enhance my proficiency in new technologies, which made me feel really prepared to tackle any new role that might come my way. Overall, my time away made the transition into work smoother.
PepsiCo’s culture is inclusive and collaborative. Associates can find opportunities to learn and grow, bridging any gaps in knowledge. We really attract the top talent in the industry, which provides ample opportunities for you to shape the career you want.
“Find your people. Make sure you have a supportive network that can pull you up and cheer you on.
At PepsiCo, we value those experiences and know they often make you a better employee and leader. If you’re ready to return, join us.
Currently, I’m the Senior Director of Enterprise Data and Analytics. I help optimize data and analytics platforms and integrate next-gen AI capabilities into data engineering. I’m thrilled to be a part of the digitalization of PepsiCo — it’s our future!
Always be willing to learn and adapt to new technologies. It’s key to staying relevant and thriving in our ever-evolving professional landscape.
