# How I returned to my career after a 10-year break A lawyer's comeback story after pausing for her autistic daughter's care. - **Source:** [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-15 - **Topic:** [Career Growth](https://brifing.si/c/growth) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e9101fc6-4cc3-412c-a122-5457ef6c5e68 ## The essential career pause Media lawyer Nicki Schroeder took a decade-long break starting in 2004 to care for her autistic daughter. She remained engaged through volunteer projects and child development advocacy, continuously applying her legal skills in new contexts during this period. ## Networking-powered comeback When Schroeder spotted a perfect job listing in 2013, her professional network enabled a last-minute application. Former colleagues provided crucial industry updates and references that facilitated her successful return to legal practice after the extended hiatus. ## Break as skill development Schroeder highlights how her disability rights advocacy and voluntary director roles gave her lobbying advantage. She credits her psychology diploma earned during the break with sharpening analytical abilities applicable to legal practice. ## Childcare support imperative The lawyer emphasizes that specialized nannies for her daughter created essential 'village' support post-return. Her story underscores how quality childcare services remain critical infrastructure for professional women's career continuity. ## Career gap non-issue Schroeder notes subsequent interviews rarely focused on her 10-year absence, comparing it to mentioning past hair color. Employers prioritized current competencies over employment chronology, validating skills-focused hiring practices. ## Extended breaks aren't barriers Schroeder's journey proves forced career pauses needn't preclude successful returns. Maintaining industry connections, acquiring transferable skills during breaks, and confident self-presentation emerge as keys to professional reinvention. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.businessinsider.com/10-year-career-break-care-for-daughter-back-work-2026-6 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._