Yes, you read that correctly! Let’s Redefine The Meaning of Career and Career Mom.

We Must Redefine The Meaning of Career and Career Mom

I have worked in the Career field for more than 10 years. I became a mother almost eight years ago and have personally experienced the many challenges of being a mom while trying to have and juggle a career.

Out of my experience and personal struggles as a working career mom, I founded Tallawah Human. A community that supports frustrated mothers that want to have a Career and be Great Moms. Mothers juggling being a mom and having a career. However, it never feels like you’re “balancing” either well.

As I speak to mothers and learn more about your needs and challenges I realized we need to redefine the meaning of career.

Rejecting What I Have Thought As I Become Awakened

The career industry has been a large part of my life and who I am. Having worked in the industry for over a decade. The industry has changed and continues to evolve especially with the changes brought on with technology and the internet.

First, I worked in the Staffing Industry as a Recruiter and Head Hunter where I partnered with companies to find talent for their employment needs. And in turn, prepared said candidates for their interviews.

I then transitioned into Higher Education where I started and managed a Career Services department for two College Campuses and an Online Region for a University. Overseeing the career development for more than 2000 students.

In this role, I partnered with various companies, professional associations, and organizations with the common goal of job creation.

I share this to give you a perspective of how much I have been entrenched in the traditional meaning of “career” for years. However, we must evolve as the world is evolving.

The Career Industry Is No Longer “Traditional”. We Must Evolve With The Time/s.

Traditionally, a career is seen as a long term profession or occupation that someone is trained for and receives compensation for their work.

We have and continue to see changes in our job market as technology continues to either eliminate or create new roles. However, we are holding on to the same definition of “career”.

Having worked in the career field industry for over a decade, I have to go against some of what has been ingrained in me.

I must evolve. You must evolve. We must evolve!

Let’s Redefine Career And Evolve To The 21st Century

Why Must We Evolve?

1. They are mothers that want to and some that need to leave their 9 to 5 traditional job and become a Stay at Home Mom. Are you one of these moms?
2. They are mothers that want to leave their 9 to 5 and focus solely on being a mom. They feel called to solely serve their families. This is the career path that they choose and feel chosen for.  Are you one of these moms?
   
   Who am I, society or anyone to tell you that being a “Stay at Home Mom” (SAHM) is not a career!!!
3. More career moms are making the change from working mom to SAHM out of necessity. Where financially it doesn’t make sense for you to work outside the home.
   
   Or, you find that you can’t care for your family well with the various demands of your job.
4. A large percentage of moms are working parttime, freelance or a work-from-home job. However, they are not seen as having a career, or as a career mom.

I’m one of the nearly 53 million Americans (34% of the workforce) that walked away from my traditional 9 – 5 career for one which offers for more flexibility! A lifestyle that allows me to care for my family and still fulfill the need I have to work and have a career.

I work for myself. I’m an entrepreneur working as apart of the online industry.

I’m not your “traditional” 9 to 5 working mom. Am I seen as having a career or as a career mom?

The Facts And Data Shows That We Must Redefine The Meaning Of Career

The “gig economy” has more than 60 million workers according to an article on CNBC, based on a study conducted by Upwork, a global freelancing website.

Gig work is part-time, freelance, temporary work that an individual earns income outside of the “traditional” long-term employer-employee relationship. Yes, those side hustles and work-from-home “gigs”!

It is estimated that 16 percent of gig workers are stay-at-home parents, according to an article in The Washington Post.

I recently met with nine (9) of my mom’s friends for dinner. Seven (7) out of the nine (9) of us have some sort of side hustle job. Ranging from a fitness instructor, online professor, personal shopper, medical technician, and entrepreneur.

Are these mom’s side hustles considered “careers”?

 

An Article On Nasdaq Projects That By 2020 43% Of The U.S. Workforce Will Be Freelancers.

• So, what do you think when you read and see these facts and data?
• Should we redefine the meaning of a career?
• Have the “career industry” evolved with our changing industry?

1. This data provided factual information that solidified my gut feeling that we need to redefine the meaning of career.
2. Absolutely, YES! We must redefine the meaning of a career!
3. The career industry is evolving, however, the meaning of career and career mom has not evolved.

Current Definitions of Career

Cambridge Dictionary Defines a Career as:

• A job for which you are trained and in which it is possible to advance during your working life so that you get greater responsibility and earn more money.
• The job or series of jobs that you do during your working life, especially if you continue to get better jobs and earn more money.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary Defines Career as:

• A profession for which one trains and which is undertaken as a permanent calling.
• A field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life.

English Oxford Dictionaries Defines Career as:

• An occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress.

Comparing The Traditional Meaning of Career to Being a Mom

 

Looking at the comparison chart above the only difference between the traditional meaning of “career” and “being a mom” is compensation.

Mothers do not receive monetary compensation for being a mom. Our reward for being a mom is far greater than money.

When you become a mom, there is “training” you can receive from taking classes, reading and learning from other moms. However, there is no amount of training that will fully prepare you for the role of mom.

We each learn and grow with experience. Very similar to any career.

What Is The Meaning of Mother?

The Merriam Webster Dictionary along with several dictionaries defines a mother as:

• A female parent

Mothers are female parents along with a long list of “hats or titles” that each of our children needs.

Being a mother is a lifelong commitment. Our role as mothers doesn’t end when our children become adults.

The English Oxford Dictionary’s definition of career most resonates with me when I think of the role of a mother.

• An occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress.

Being a mom is a lifetime Career. Each day, week, month and year we progress with each experience.

Being A Mother Is A Career!

The 21 Century Meaning of Career and Career Mom

Your Career Is The Work That You Do. 

Some mothers have additional work outside all the “role” of being a mom.

All the “hats” we wear makes us who we are. And makes us, HUMAN.

Why Is It So Important For Us to Redefine The Meaning Of Career and Career Mom?

I started on this journey of creating a community to support frustrated mothers that want to have a Career and Be Great Moms. My journey started with my experience and frustrations.

I honestly only saw the frustrations of moms through my lens.

During the last two years, my eyes have been opened. I’m awakened!

I See You, Career Moms. I See You! Fighting to be You! Fighting to Have a Career and Be a Great Mom! I wrote a poem to you.

• I feel your frustration. Your only desire is to be a full-time mother. You want to leave your 9-5 job and go home to your family? However, you have no idea where to start.
• Yes, I feel your pain. Going to that job that you dislike with a passion. Feeling stuck. Not feeling like yourself.
• I see the yearning in your gut. Fighting to start that business you have been dreaming of since…

You’re Frustrated Because You’re Not Doing The Work You Feel Called To Do!

Let’s Redefine Career for the 21 Century to mean “the work you do to serve others”.

Whether it is to serve as a teacher, lawyer, doctor, police, computer engineer or fulltime mom. Lets Redefine Career Mom to mean “the work that a mom does”.

When you start living the life that you need, using your skills and talents to serve others you will be fulfilled and happy. A happy mom will find a way to overcome the struggles and be a Great Mom.

Take a step back and discover who you are, and who you want to be/become. Go after that Career you know you need.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Please comment below or email me directly on yamiek@tallawahHuman.com.

 

 

 

 

P.S. Related Article: Can Working Career Moms Achieve Balance?

Moms, it’s time we shake up the career industry! It starts with each of us and how we think!
Or have been conditioned to think. In this article, I’m discussing and examining “if balance can be achieved for working moms”.

Yes, do share. As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. Comment here or reach out by email or on Social.