This blog is part of a series featuring the 2026 YPG Mentorship Programme participants and their valuable learnings in the field of solid waste management and the circular economy.
Mentee: Pratistha Shrestha
Mentor: Adam Read
There is a distinct silence that follows a career break. Not the silence of doing nothing, anyone who has raised a child knows that, but a professional silence. The absence of project updates, meetings, and the daily rhythm of work. For almost two years, that was my reality. When I paused my career in mid-2024 to focus on my first child, I did not stop thinking about my field. Instead, the quiet gave me space to ask harder questions: not just what I want to do next, but why it matters, and who I aspire to be. Clarity did not come all at once. It grew slowly through reflection, motherhood, and guidance from the right mentor.
Parenthood kept my passion alive in ways I had not expected. Caring for a baby became an involuntary waste audit. It showed me the gap between intention and practice. From choosing second-hand clothes to dealing with rejected meals to switching between cloth and disposable diapers during a cold German winter, every decision involved trade-offs. Often, it came with a sense of guilt. What once felt like small personal choices started to feel like professional insights. I began to see how real waste decisions are made, not by perfect people with ideal systems, but by ordinary people managing real-life constraints. That realisation strengthened my commitment to the sector, and yet re-entry still carried its own weight.
Re-entry is not just logistical. It is psychological. The professional world moves fast, and after a break, it is easy to feel left behind, knowledge stale, networks weakened, and confidence quietly eroded. Knowing about the motherhood penalty, which affects hiring, pay, and progression, did not make it easier. What I needed was honest guidance and strategy. That is what the ISWA YPG Mentorship Programme 2025 gave me, when I was matched with Dr Adam Read MBE, Chief External Affairs and Sustainability Officer at SUEZ UK.
Dr Read not only helped me understand the layered realities of the waste sector but also guided me through the practical steps of re- entering my career. We started with simple but important questions: clarifying the role I wanted based on my skills, interests, and priorities, while being realistic about work-life balance. Equally important was recognising the transferable skills motherhood had given me, such as time management, multitasking, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. These are not secondary; they are highly relevant in any professional setting. At times, imposter syndrome crept in. Then I reminded myself that managing uncertainty, building networks in a new environment, and staying composed under pressure are not soft extras. They are directly relevant to sectors that rely on adaptability, communication, and practical problem-solving.
Networking also became an important part of my return. Staying in touch, even in small ways, meant I was not starting from zero. Reaching out with intention made a difference. People who reach out proactively, with thoughtful questions and a clear sense of their own development, are always welcome. A well-crafted email to someone you admire, explaining what draws you to their work, is rarely ignored. It signals initiative. In a sector built on relationships, it opens doors that job boards cannot. Staying visible during a career break matters most. Engaging on social media, especially LinkedIn, following discussions on platforms like ISWA and CIWM, reading while a child plays, and listening to podcasts on walks are all ways to stay connected. Small, consistent efforts like these kept my thinking sharp and showed that I was still engaged. Additionally, upskilling through courses, mentorship, writing, or volunteering made my learning visible and reminded me I was still growing.
The clearest outcome of this journey has been learning to return stronger, not just to a job, but to work with purpose. Motherhood gave me patience, resilience, and perspective. The break allowed me to reflect on what truly matters, while mentorship turned that reflection into action. The waste sector is evolving, and I want to contribute where systems are advanced while staying connected to places where solutions are still emerging. A career break is not a gap; used intentionally, it becomes a foundation for clarity, growth, and renewed commitment.
