In the past week I have read with interest the articles quoting Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg on women and the need to not “lean back” in their careers so as to have the opportunity of promotion and I assume ‘break the glass ceiling’. I also watched a video on Fox News interviewing Julie Shifman who is President of the company she began in 2008 by he name of ‘Act Three’. She has also recently written and published the book, “Preparing for Act Three”. I was happy to find that a title was given to what I am personally embarking on right now in my life. I learned I am an ‘Act Three’ woman. Better than the “Cougar” my teen daughter calls me when I agree with her choices of boys as cute!
I worked many jobs in different career areas such as food service and finance beginning in high school and beyond. After having my first son and being divorced at 21, I began my career life in healthcare working and educating myself up the ranks beginning at Certified Nursing Assistant to Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse (both an Associates and a Bachelors degree) to finishing with a Master’s degree in Psychology which turned out to be a very appropriate accompaniment to nursing, teaching and management. I was in school from 1985 to 1996. I worked full-time in nursing until my second son was born in 1995 then switched to part-time. I have garnered much and varied experience plus participated in career related learning activities at part-time status. Currently, I have obtained 1 of 3 (2nd one should be completed by the end of Mar) certifications in medical coding/auditing, yet when applying for full-time jobs in this field I receive the standard “we are looking for applicants with more experience, thanks anyway” email response. I am beginning to wonder if staying in the workplace part-time was an effective plan (in employers eyes) for being able to re-enter the workplace full-time ‘at a later date’, which is now!
I do not wish to get in the whole “mommy wars” ongoing debate of ‘stay at home’ vs ‘working mom’. I do know that during all my years of part- time ‘work’ I have not been a slouch. I have been a mom to give a ride to a kid when needed; the mom home in middle school years to let hang out and feed the kids who forgot to let their mom know it was early release day; to make meals for the ‘friend of a friend’ (before FB even existed) who is in need; to volunteer at school, church, &community events. To host band parties and to listen to high schooler’s about life and faith concerns. To pick up the slack in my family, but never be a slacker. Now I realize I am not the only mom to do these things. I realize some full-time moms lead lives like this and I do envy their energy! I don’t think it’s an us vs them dilemma in mothering, I believe we can all work together to raise the next generation. I just wonder why our society/culture doesn’t recognize the important exhausting work to be done raising up our children and young people and pay for people to do it as a job entitled ‘cultural liaison’. And count it as excellent work experience.
