From Burnout to Breakthrough: How I Found My Place in Tech After Motherhood

If you had told me ten years ago that I’d end up working at an AI-native startup in Utah’s tech scene, I probably would’ve laughed (or cried) depending on the day. But here I am.

Growing up, I was the classic overachiever. I did well in school, played multiple sports, and eventually earned both an academic and athletic scholarship to play Division I soccer at Utah State University. It should’ve felt like the peak, but by the time I got there, I was burned out. I played soccer for two years before transferring to the University of Utah to finish my degree, feeling a little lost and just trying to “get through it.” I graduated with a bachelor's in Communication, focused on health communication, but I didn’t have a clear vision for what came next.

For about five years, I worked in healthcare administration. Despite two promotions, I didn’t feel like I was building a career. It felt more like coasting. The work wasn’t flexible, the pay wasn’t great, and I wasn’t passionate about it. In the back of my mind, I thought getting married and having kids might fill the void — give me a deeper sense of purpose.

And in many beautiful ways, it did. I met my husband (a software engineer), and we were lucky to have two healthy babies, one in 2021 and another in 2023. I spent about three years as a stay-at-home mom, and at first, I truly loved it and motherhood. But over time, I started to feel myself slipping. I missed feeling intellectually challenged. I missed being someone outside of the home. And most of all, I missed myself.

That’s when Tech-Moms entered the picture.

My husband had heard Trina Limpert, one of the Tech-Moms founders, speak at a local event, and when we started talking seriously about me re-entering the workforce, he reminded me about the program. I applied to the Winter 2024 cohort, and honestly, it changed my life.

From the very first Saturday, I felt myself come back online. Getting that time to be away from the house, away from my kids (whom I adore!), and focusing on just me was everything. I was surrounded by brilliant, supportive women. All of us different, yet united by this shared determination to carve a new path. Tech-Moms gave me permission to imagine a future I hadn’t thought was possible anymore.

For a long time, I believed it was simply too late for me. I was in my early thirties, I’d stepped out of the workforce, and my previous job experience wasn’t in a field I wanted to return to. I thought I had already made my bed, and that I’d be a stay-at-home mom forever, whether I wanted to be or not. If I did get a job, I assumed it would have to be another low-paying one I didn’t really care about.

Tech-Moms shattered that narrative.

I realized that the only thing truly holding me back was my mindset. I could start over. I could learn new skills. I could build a career I actually cared about, even in tech.

During the program, I challenged myself to go beyond the basics. For my capstone project, I chose to incorporate JavaScript — and that sparked something in me. I spent the summer after the program diving deep into code, earning certificates in front-end development and data structures & algorithms through Frontend Masters. I was hooked.

But I also knew I wanted to start working, both for financial reasons (hello, daycare costs!) and because I craved real-world experience. I landed an entry-level support role, helping customers navigate their payroll software. It was fully remote, flexible, and honestly a great company to work for, especially as a mom. But I soon realized I was hungry for more: more technical depth, more responsibility, more growth.

Jamee, with instructors Afton and Sam, at Tech-Moms graduation

So, I started job searching again, this time with more confidence. I knew my worth. I knew what I was capable of. I interviewed intentionally and turned down several offers before finding the perfect fit: a role as a Product Specialist at an AI-native startup here in Utah.

In tech, especially in startups, most roles are either building the product or selling the product. My goal is to build — whether that’s through product management, QA, or eventually software development. This new role is a big step in that direction, and I feel more aligned and empowered than I ever have.

Jamee Western, Tech- Moms graduate

"Looking back, Tech-Moms wasn’t just a program. It was a lifeline. It reminded me that my story didn’t have to follow a traditional path. That I could be both a loving, present mom and an ambitious, capable professional. That it’s never too late to pivot, to learn, to grow."

If you’re reading this and wondering whether there’s still time for you to make a change, I’m here to tell you: yes. There is. You belong in tech. And your story is only just beginning!

Ready to rewrite your story — or help someone else rewrite theirs? Tech-Moms is transforming lives by helping women gain the confidence, skills, and support to launch careers in tech. Whether you're looking to join the program or want to help make this opportunity possible for others, there's a place for you here.

Apply to become a Tech-Mom and take the first step toward a career you love. Become a donor and help remove barriers like childcare and financial limitations for future participants.

Get started here — because every woman deserves the chance to thrive.