Being a new mom is an exciting and challenging experience, but now time may have come for you to go back into the workplace. The very thought of going back to your old job may be causing you anxiety for several reasons – perhaps due to the workload, the amount of responsibility on your shoulders, or being in a team of people that you simply don’t click with. There’s no better time to think about changing your career prospects for the sake of your mental wellbeing and professional progress.
In this guide, we’re going to provide some useful tips to help you change career when you’re a mom:
Think about your interests
Getting back into work after having a baby isn’t easy. You may struggle to detach yourself from your little one, which is an entirely normal response due to having maternal instincts and fluctuating hormones (which researchers believe can last up to six months after birth); therefore, you’re bound to feel vulnerable and emotional.
It is essential to think about how you can integrate your interests and hobbies into a new career path. This could make all the difference between feeling distressed at the very idea of going back to work or being filled with positivity at possibilities you hadn’t thought of before.
Go to university
Some jobs may require you to be degree-educated, so if you didn’t take up the opportunity to go to university when you were younger, now may be the perfect time to research this option, providing you are financially stable. As a new mom, it’s unlikely you’ll have the time to physically attend lectures, so many institutions now offer online courses that can be studied from the comfort of your own home and are designed to fit around other responsibilities. Different institutions have various entry requirements, so it’s good to find out the probability of getting accepted by taking a look at the Auburn acceptance rate on CampusReel.
Get networking
When you have come up with a few potential career options, begin networking. You do not have to know people on a personal level to build successful, long-lasting relationships with experts in your desired industry. There are many ways you can build on your contact list, from attending job fairs or even reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Most professionals will be flattered that you have taken an interest in what they do and have chosen to get in contact with them to ask for career advice.
Talk to your partner
Before having a baby, managing household finances are likely to have been much more straightforward. Still, now your main priority is ensuring that you have enough cash to support your family.
It would be wise to sit down with your partner and talk about who will be the breadwinner and who will be the main caregiver of the baby. This will help you determine whether you should be searching for part-time or full-time jobs and come to a more definite decision on which career path would be ideal for your circumstances.