The subject of juggling a career and personal life is becoming more prevalent with women like Marissa Mayer of Yahoo in the spotlight. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly 71 percent of women with children under 18 years old were in the labor force or looking for work in 2011. Working mothers (and many fathers) encounter a common dilemma—a typical job in Silicon Valley involves long hours, a stressful commute and little flexibility. Parents are faced with daycare challenges, classroom involvement and a multitude of kid-related sports and activities. Multiply this by two or three children, and parenthood becomes a part-time job. Mix it all up in a pot and you’ve got a recipe for gray hair, lack of sleep and a feeling that you are failing your employer, spouse and children all at the same time.
Two years ago, I was laid off from my part-time accounting job during maternity leave with my second child. Panic set in—how could I find a role that would allow me to successfully manage both my professional and personal life as a mother of two small children? I had experienced the Silicon Valley grind for 18 years and knew that hectic lifestyle would no longer work for me and my family.
Little did I know that my situation was actually a blessing in disguise. I landed at RoseRyan and never looked back. The position gave me part-time employment, a flexible schedule and the option to work from home. The job was challenging and fulfilling, and it provided the intellectual stimuli that I longed for as a mother of young children. I soon discovered that consulting is a virtual utopia for parents or anyone who desires that elusive work-life balance.
Working at RoseRyan has given me the best of both worlds—a rewarding career and involved parenting, and my family is happier because of it. I recently decided that it was time for me to recapture a fragment of my life before kids (a very distant memory!), so I signed up for a triathlon and started training. This would never have been possible if it weren’t for the flexibility of my job. We parents tend to focus all of our energy externally, but it is important to take the time to fulfill ourselves as well.
RoseRyan is a woman-owned and managed business that provides a challenging work environment while encouraging a balance between business and family. They have been there and they get it. Sound too good to be true? It’s not—if you are interested, check out our jobs page.
