It's easy to get wrapped up in your children (myself included) and re-enter the field at much less earning or lower level jobs. Some even have to start all over again.
The sad part is that I see VERY capable women being happy to take lower level jobs and get paid WAY less than they are originally worth. They think "oh it's a blessing just to have a job after all these years".
nowadays many companies are understanding of the needs of women. That firm my friend works for is a prime example of that.
My sister is a CPA....after working in a CPA firm for several years...she decided to stay at home with her kids for 6 yrs. In the meantime she managed to find a job as a partner with a fulltime CPA who did all the leg work while my sister worked from home. It wasnt a huge firm like the one she worked for previously but it was fulfilling and it certainly kept her up-to-date with her skills. She is back at work again for a huge firm...and is doing quite well.
Like you said...there are many things a woman can do to fill in the 5-6 yrs gap while she stays at home. Key is to stay on top of things.
anything is possible.
women need not sacrifice their families for their careers anymore....there is a wealth of opportunities out there for women to get the best of both worlds.
You have to bear in mind the differences too...between "who we were" and "who we are". When I was in the working world, that was my life. I dedicated myself 24/7 and a thousand percent. Yup I earned lotsa money - because I dedicated my life to my job. Now that I have the littles, theres no way that I'd put the requirements of the job over the needs of my littles. And the job that I'd take would need to understand that. And surely, a job like that pays far less. You have to remember, companies (esp large ones) like to have women in upper placements...but they have to be really careful too because many times the demands of the job just dont jive with the demands of motherhood. Not all careers for sure. But me? tech trading floor design and support? If I cant give them 24/7/365 then I'm destined to yup perhaps have a job - and likely a good one - but never again earn the 6 figures.
I think you show really good communication and analytical skills and you would be worthy of the 6 figure salary than most bozos that are in corporate making that money.
I always thought that jobs and hours get harder as you climb up the ladder. Boy was I wrong? Jobs gets more strategic (yes) and you are paid to make tough decisions and to lead but I have less tactical work on plate than before.
I use to work crazy hours before I had my girls and now I don't. My priority is my girls and ever since I had them - I am more focused and driven.
i have always wnted to work had a break after marriage for a year bt deicided that i wnted to go bk. now inshallah bk at work bt will leave once we have children as i want to be there for them.
women need not sacrifice their families for their careers anymore....there is a wealth of opportunities out there for women to get the best of both worlds.
AE not every woman gets an offer like your lawyer friend - I certainly hope ladies aren't waiting for that to happen :)
AE not every woman gets an offer like your lawyer friend - I certainly hope ladies aren't waiting for that to happen :)
some companies are cool..
most of the young mothers i know (regardless of their career), if they have wanted to continue working, they've been offered part-time..
Im starting part-time (3 days) in a months time as well... wooohooooo..
5 days has been difficult but nonetheless very rewarding i think
like X2 and many others have said, it can be hard to leave a field for 3+ years.. for me it was difficult being in IT. I didnt want to risk being out for so many years..
it's a challenge but it's not impossible. I've seen it done many times with my sisters and my mom.
altho I would prefer that partime job my friend was offered (after having her baby) in her law firm....she was lucky...not sure if I would have the same luck. My neighbor who is a doctor was also offered a similar position...she too works 3 days a week. This is a great way of getting the best of both worlds. pay cut? yes! worth it? yes.
true its not impossible but you have to be strategic about it. that time is best spent in a higher degree and advanced training.
what it then comes down to is that you still need help, the kid has to be left with soemone when you are in class, or have to study, it has to be taken seriously by the lady and her family.
Mama - some of my friends went to school and started their MBAs or got their PMP certification. Or something like a Java Certification and after 3 years at home got an salary ABOVE what she was making.
It was clearly not easy taking care of a child and studying but it was worth it in the end.
Another friend started up a small business from home - registered her company. I'll be honest she did barely any work but she was able to justify the GAP to an employer.
I encourage women to aim high after a GAP because I see many wonderful examples around me. It takes some strategic thinking and planning.
It takes years to get promoted. Why settle?
key point is strategic thinking around it, so when you are coming back to the workplace, you can show that you are not out of touch. its 2009, no one with half a brain will have an issue with a womans choice to step out of workplace for a few years, if it is more than a few years then the education/consulting/freelancing has to be relevant and believable.