Companies offer moms opportunities to work on their work-life balance
February 10, 2012
Whether you've just started working toward your degree or are in the home stretch before graduation, many moms who are pursuing a college degree are eagerly awaiting putting their hard work and dedication to good use in the work force.
Getting a bachelor's degree greatly increases an individual's earning potential. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2009, the average salary for adults ages 25 to 34 with a bachelor's degree was $45,000, while those with a high school diploma or other equivalent degree earned an average of $30,000 per year.
The good news is that there is more financial help than ever available for moms who want to fulfill their dream of getting a college education. Grants for parents, scholarships for mothers, single mother scholarships and other financial aid can make paying for college a reality for many.
However, moms entering the workforce after earning a degree are often discouraged at the lack of flexibility many employers offer them. Creating a work-life balance continues to be a challenge for parents in almost every industry.
In fact, a recent study conducted by WorldAtWork, a professional group for human resource executives, found that some employees are penalized for taking advantage of programs meant to enhance their work-life balance.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the study found that nearly one in three supervisors think employees who use flexible work arrangements will not advance very far in their organization.
In addition, employees at companies that offer family-friendly perks such as flex time or telecommuting often said that they were discouraged from using these benefits. Some even said that they were penalized for taking advantage of them by receiving unfavorable job assignments, negative performance reviews, comments from managers and being denied promotions.
The good news for moms looking for jobs that help them balance the demands of a career and a family is that there are now several recruiting companies that cater to those who seek a balance between their professional and personal lives.
Companies such as Mom Corps and FlexJobs are ideal resources for any parent involved in a job search.
"These new companies offer a variety of non-traditional job structures, including freelance project work, part-time options, telecommuting and jobs with flexible scheduling," according to LearnVest.com. "The jobs aren't limited to the 'low-on-the-totem-pole' positions many envision when talking about part-time work. Opportunities range from senior manager and executive positions to project managers and administrative assistants."
Other resources for job-seekers include WAHM.com, TheCareerPartners.com, On-Ramps.com, IRelaunch.org, FlexibleResources.com, FlexibleExecutives.com and AlpineAccess.com.
