About

Erika Parker Price

 

Hi I’m Erika. I took a 13-year career pause after a successful decade in high-tech. When I wanted to return, I found many closed doors, but I found my own path back to meaningful, financially rewarding work back in high-tech. Here’s my story from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly….

caterpillar: 12 years  

I graduated from Santa Clara University and spent the next 12 years launching products, negotiating contracts, running programs and managing multi-million dollar budgets for Microsoft, Symantec, and Intel. Along the way, I became a mom. In the beginning, fueled by frequent flier miles and a flexible boss, I jetted around the country with my nanny and my baby. Two years later, I had another baby and the travel became much harder. My husband was new in his cardiology career and no more available than me, but our kids needed more. That’s when paused my career.

 

cocoon: 13 years

I raised my boys and pursued my passion for writing on the side. I wrote freelance articles, launched my first blog, wrote three novels, did all the volunteer gigs from soccer coach to auction chair, and took the occasional PR writing gig on the side. Mostly though, I spent my time raising two little humans.

 

butterfly: today!

Today, I am back at Microsoft as an Onboarding Program Manager helping people in career transition. But that isn’t to say that my return to work  simple or straightforward. Along the way, I consulted for friends, worked in a different industry, contracted, got certified as a coach, and launched my own business. The Career Butterfly is my chance to share what I’ve learned and make the journey easier for other women. 

I’d love to hear more about your journey! Find me on LinkedIn or send me an email.

The career butterfly Podcast

The podcast that focuses on transitioning to your next phase of life.

  • Phenomenal topics
    by Bronwen GMR from South Africa

    From EQ to overcoming fears there is something for everyone. I thoroughly enjoy this show.

  • Essential if you’re returning to work!
    by The Happy Wardrobe from United States

    Erika is a gold mine of information, tips and strategies to get you back in the work force after a pause, no matter why you stepped away. Recommended!

  • Great success tips
    by theleadr from United States

    Keep your eyes wide open you never know where opportunities might pop up! Such a great tip! Loving your relatable topics and real life examples. Realizing other women have paused and walked back into the workforce successfully is a confidence builder!

  • Inspiring and practical!
    by DMelo23 from United States

    The Ready Pause Go podcast is an amazing resource for re-entering the workplace. Erika’s guests are very inspiring and informational. They share practical tips and real life stories! Very empowering!

  • Eye-opening and inspiring
    by TropicalTeacher from United States

    With so many reasons women pause their careers, it is a tremendous gift to have this collection of tips and inspiring stories of women who have re-entered their careers. After focusing on others, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin once we’re ready to get back in the job search. Erika for being the example and curating these motivating stories!

  • Fantastic and empowering podcast!
    by Laura grows from United States

    Speaking as a woman living out the career pause, this podcast has inspired me to make this the most powerful time possible! Thanks for all the support and encouragement!

  • So informative
    by roo17893 from United States

    I enjoy this podcast so much, especially the interviews with women from all types of professional backgrounds. There is no “one size fits all” approach to returning to work and this podcast offers so many different perspectives.

  • Never give up: my return to Microsoft
    by KelGag from United States

    I just listened to this episode, it was very inspiring, I’m a mother of five, who took a 25 year pause from her career, I have a lot to offer and I’m ready to head back to the workforce, you really inspire me thank you!

  • My favorite Podcast for those who are in career transition or had a career break!
    by Oksana Ru from United States

    Thank you, Erica, for your podcast! I’ve been inspired by real life stories. I don’t feel like I’m alone, trying to figure out things on my own. I recommend it to anyone who feels stuck and needs the next career move.

  • Fun and educational listen
    by KelliKMC from United States

    I’m at the beginning stages of even considering a career pause. The podcast helps give me a point of confidence that this can be a exciting season and not one to fear. Erika provides highly valuable thoughts to chew on every podcast. The interviews give real life examples of women who are living fully in whatever season they find themselves. Thank you!

  • Trying not to break
    by Mommy Mortician from United States

    I recently gave birth to my second baby, four days before my first baby’s 2nd birthday. I am trying to stay in the workforce. I have spent the last 13 years building my career. The corporate life feels cold and uncaring during this time of rebalancing. Ready Pause Go provides insight to the secrets a woman needs to survive the working world. The information shouldn’t be a secret and Erika works to pull back the curtain, exposing what’s really going on, and gives tangible items you can do now.

  • So inspiring and informative
    by bbghij from United States

    I love listening to Erika and her guests. She asks great questions and features a wide variety of topics. The success stories and resources she shares are helpful and inspirational. What a terrific idea for a podcast to focus on career pauses and how to return to your full potential.

  • Stepping back in with confidence-
    by lwvstraume from United States

    Erika has hosted many woman with great success stories of their experiences stepping back into the job world after taking a break. Their stories are all very different and inspiring. Not easy to make the decision to enter back into the job world and it’s great that Erika has created this podcast which shares other women’s experiences.

  • Valuable Resources and Confidence Building
    by Creative Balance Health from United States

    Inspiring interviews and tons of resources for professional women going through a career transformation or reboot, especially if absent from the traditional workforce for a while.

  • A great gift!
    by radmud from United States

    This show is an absolute god-send! I felt lonely as a mom who took a career break to raise my kids and am now seeking to re-enter the workforce. This show gave me confidence that it can be done - it is so inspiring to hear the stories of other women and I am now recommending this show to everyone mother that I know!

  • This is for every woman
    by GC1613 from United States

    This is a great podcast that offers something for every woman, regardless of her situation or career stage. I am well past my pause and in a full-time job, but I’m looking to turn my blog into a side hustle and maybe a “real” business. So there is definitely helpful and encouraging information here for me. And as someone who has thought about starting a podcast, I really admire what Erika is doing.

  • Inspiring story
    by kasinWA from United States

    Loved hearing Beth’s inspirational story. Erika is an excellent story teller, making an individual story relevant to a wide audience!

  • Super interesting
    by Jen Knick from United States

    Erika Parker Price is delivering so much value with this unique perspective of the millions who pause their professional lives to care for family. The variety of guests and information is fabulous and Erika’s skill at asking quality questions never disappoints. I highly recommend!

  • Great perspectives!
    by ehkimm from United States

    Love this podcast. Great variety of guests in different phases of career, pausing, and family life. I love hearing experiences of women like me, and unlike me, and Erika does a great job teasing out the helpful, transferable, repeatable lessons for her listeners. Thanks, keep ‘em coming!

  • Inspiring Podcast!
    by Oksana Ru from United States

    Thank you, Erica, for your podcast! I’ve been inspired, I don’t feel on my own, I learned a lot of practical tips and helpful resources!

  • Outta the park
    by SAMJ Fan from United States

    Erika has knocked it outta the park with this podcast. While the topic targets women who leave the workforce to take care of family, be they children, elders or anyone i their lives who needs a caregiver, it is equally compelling for anyone who has taken a break to recharge, volunteer, serve their country or even for those who put their dreams on pause and hold a job for which they have no passion. Informative, full of resources and inspiring. She has a gift.

  • Unique and Inspiring
    by JumpforJoy from United States

    I love true the stories in the lives of people across this great nation. This podcast is unique and honest. The guests have great stories and advice for woman in any stage of working life.

  • This Discussion is SO Important!
    by Find Your Glee from United States

    Erika- You are so right, women do not talk about this topic enough. Thank you for creating a platform to share and learn and grow in a very insightful and non-judgement way. The tools and resources you provide through your research and interviews is so instrumental in helping people work through their life/career transitions. Thank you for creating this space!

  • This podcast is badly needed!
    by firstsubscriber from United States

    I love that Erika is talking about a subject that is SO important yet so rarely talked about. As a mother who took some time off, I love knowing I’m not alone and hearing the inspiring advice of others. Can’t wait to dig in to all of the episodes.

  • Going back can be scary
    by Kimala123 from United States

    Love this podcast that helps you feel less alone and unsure about returning to work after a pause! Very supportive!

  • Such a necessary show!
    by thegracechon from United States

    Thank you for making this show! It’s such a great idea and I’m looking forward to more episodes.

  • Career Pauses
    by Pugster13 from United States

    This podcast is great for anyone who has taken a pause in their career and is looking to go back to work inspirational to say the least.

  • My mother needs to listen to this
    by Quincy420 from United States

    I love this podcast idea. I am going to recommend to my mother. She really needs to hear this. Thank you for making this podcast!!! Can’t wait to see where it goes!

  • Working moms unite!
    by docang1 from United States

    This podcast will speak to anyone who has taken a break from their career to start a family! Looking forward to full episodes!