Real-life Stories of Career Transitions: Women Who Reinvented Themselves- Part 2

What is it about women who make career transitions with such grace? Looking around, I see countless women who’ve had to make tough choices that shook up their professional worlds—yet they bounce back with a bang and, more often than not, thrive in their new careers.

This piece tells the story of Purva, a woman who didn’t just switch careers but moved countries, all for love.

Purva grew up in a regular Patna household, where academics reigned supreme. Early on, she and her two siblings understood that excelling in school was their ticket to success. Purva took this to heart, working tirelessly and ultimately topping her district in Grade 12.

With her academic success, she moved to Delhi to study at her dream college, Miranda House. Life in Delhi was all about budgeting, studying, and staying focused on her goals, even promising her mom that she wouldn’t get distracted. True to her word, she topped her class every year and took up tutoring to ease her parents’ financial burden.

Purva felt lost for the first time when it came time to decide on her next step. Unlike her school years, the path ahead wasn’t clear. She knew she wanted financial independence but wasn’t sure how to get there. That’s when a conversation with her friend Kajal’s lawyer brother sparked a new idea—law.

Purva dove into researching the field and eventually earned admission to the University of Delhi’s Law Faculty. Law school was demanding, but Purva’s drive kept her going. She reached out to Kajal’s brother for guidance, determined to make her own way in the competitive legal world.

Also Read: Real-Life Stories of Career Transitions: Women Who Reinvented Themselves – Part 1

She set her sights on Khanna & Co., a prestigious firm with a reputation for tough work and high standards. Getting an appointment with Mr Raj Khanna, the Managing Partner of the firm, was no easy feat, but Purva’s persistence paid off. Dressed in a saree and fresh off a sweltering bus ride, she met Mr Khanna and left a strong enough impression to land a position as a Junior Associate.

From day one, Purva stood out with her unwavering commitment. Despite being paid a modest salary, she continued tutoring to make ends meet, tackling challenging clients that others avoided, working late nights, and even handling tasks far beyond her role. Mr Khanna took notice of her grit and dedication, and within a year, he rewarded her with a raise, allowing her to focus entirely on her work at the firm.

Her career took off from there. Purva’s reputation as a diligent and capable lawyer grew, and she soon began climbing the ranks. Within a few years, she moved from Junior Associate to Associate, quickly proving her mettle. Her cases grew more complex, her clients more influential, and her responsibilities more significant. She became known as the “go-to” person for high-stakes cases, tackling every challenge with a sharp mind and a calm demeanour.

Eventually, she earned the title of Senior Associate. By this time, she was a mentor to junior lawyers, guiding them with the same discipline and passion that had fueled her own rise. Purva had her sights set on becoming a partner—a goal that felt within reach as she continued to excel.

Then came a conference in Copenhagen, where she met Niel, a fellow lawyer. After a whirlwind romance, Niel proposed. Though reluctant to rush things, Purva returned to India determined to focus on her career, but Niel followed her after six months. Torn between love and ambition, P finally chose both, marrying Niel and moving abroad.

But life in Copenhagen was not the fairytale ending it seemed. From the moment she arrived, Purva faced the challenge of adjusting to a completely different culture. The city was beautiful but cold—not just in temperature but also in the way people interacted. Unlike the warmth of her family back home, social interactions here were more reserved. She missed her usual support system and felt the isolation keenly, especially since her in-laws didn’t live nearby. Though they were polite and welcoming, they maintained a respectful distance, and she couldn’t rely on them for everyday companionship.

The language barrier added another layer of difficulty. Simple tasks like grocery shopping, asking for directions, or understanding official paperwork became daily hurdles. In the workplace, requalification requirements and the need to pass the bar exam loomed, making her feel like an outsider looking in on the career she’d worked so hard to build.

Things took another turn when she discovered she was pregnant. Suddenly, her professional ambitions had to be shelved as she focused on raising her children. Yet, Purva didn’t let this time go to waste. Instead, she treated her pregnancy as a period of preparation for her eventual comeback. During the quiet hours, she immersed herself in self-study, brushing up on Danish law, reading case studies, and improving her understanding of the local legal landscape.

Also Read: How Damini Grover Discovered Her True Self and Began Empowering Others

While juggling her pregnancy and new motherhood, she enrolled in online courses to master Danish, knowing it would be essential for her career in Copenhagen. Even with the exhaustion of motherhood, she squeezed in study sessions whenever she could, whether it was during her child’s nap times or late at night after everyone had gone to bed. She was driven by her goal to return to her career, undeterred by the demands of raising a young family.

Purva also slowly built a network, reaching out to other legal professionals in Copenhagen to understand the nuances of practising law in Denmark. She attended networking events when she could, learning as much as possible about the expectations, challenges, and opportunities in her new environment. Through these connections, she gained insight into the exams and licenses she’d need and gathered resources to help her prepare.

By the time her children were old enough for her to resume her career, Purva was not only mentally prepared but well-equipped with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to make a strong re-entry into the legal field. Years later, with her children a bit older, she returned to her career with a fierce determination.

Today, fifteen years after moving to Copenhagen, she and Niel run a thriving law practice together, proving that with patience, resilience, and love, even the toughest transitions can lead to new heights.

“A determined woman doesn’t just follow a path—she creates her own.”