Career And Motherhood
Statistics suggest that motherhood does affect women’s career to different degrees and it could last over a long period of time. According to a journal by US National Institute of Health, among women aged 25–49, 66.7% were employed in 1980, 80.5% in 2000 and up to 84.2% in 2010. An increasing number of women are faced with the challenge of choosing between motherhood and actively participating in the labor force.
That makes you probably want to ask the question “is motherhood a stumbling block to women’s career?”
Starting a family or adding needs proper planning just like every other project. Ideally, it might be a good idea to wait until you have proven yourself on a new job or a new role, or until you get that long awaited promotion. However, we all know in the real world things are not always as planned – just the way everything goes wrong during a live demo.
Let’s look at some practical tips that have worked for some women:
1. Start To Plan ASAP: Begin planning as soon as you find out about your little surprise package. If you already have a goal of the next level you want to be in your career, start researching on courses or certifications to take you to that next stage as soon as you know your EDD(expected due date).
2. Maximize Your Up Times: Pregnancies can be very daunting especially in the early stage, but there are always sunny days. Be proactive and put yourself out there to take on responsibilities (as long as it is within your capability). Try to maximize the days you feel your best by getting a lot done before your leave. Remember that pregnancy is not a sickness.
3. Have a Plan B: Even after you have done your best, stay paranoid! Be prepared for the “what ifs” even if you are your boss’ BFF. Things happen and the last thing you want is a second surprise on the job front when you return. Begin to work towards your goal in point #1. Register for your courses or certification programs either for the next level in your career or for your business. Opt for self-study or online courses for convenience. You will be surprised how much you can get done in one year (If you live in Canada). You can also look for programs that run for a short period if you don’t have a whole year of maternity leave.
Take advantage of when your baby is asleep or the sleepless nights to catch up on studies and planning.
4. Update Your Resume: Update your resume and begin your job search. This way you are already prepared just in case the worst happens. If your job is still intact, you can begin to apply for the next level if you have the qualifications required.
5. Be motivated: Motivation is pertinent to achieving the above mentioned points. Let your little one be the “why” behind every step you take towards a better life because you have the responsibility of providing for him or her. It is never easy, but it is always worth it – just like pregnancy itself.
PS: “Given all of the risks of taking maternity leave, what’s interesting is so many working Canadian women are having babies – more than 360,000 births every year. Wondering? They do it for love.”
Copyright 2017 | GapBridging Career Services | All Rights Reserved
