Previous generations of women fought to expand their career options, earn their own paychecks, and gain financial stability that was not dependent on men. Today, the professional world has opened up for women, and most women do work full-time.
However, women still face challenges in the workplace. There is ongoing pressure to “have it all” and balance a successful career with motherhood. Some fields still are not so welcoming to women. Therefore, lots of smart, capable women face sexism at work. Yet, in spite of these obstacles, women are redefining their own ideas around career success and achievement. Here’s how women are defining professional success on their own terms.
Defining Success on a Personal Level
There is not one specific definition of career success. Nowadays, many women are finding that chasing a certain title, salary, or managerial role isn’t necessarily what success is all about. In fact, women have the right to pursue their own version of career success. In some cases, this might mean moving up the corporate ladder.
Alternatively, it might mean finding a job that offers highly flexible hours, landing a part-time job while working on creative ambitions in their time off, or taking a risk by switching industries to follow their passion.
Breaking Into New Fields
While women are still underrepresented in STEM fields, it is becoming more and more common for women to work in technical and scientific industries. Furthermore, women in these industries now have more support systems to turn to if they face discrimination.
For example, there are mentorship organizations that connect young women in STEM with experienced industry veterans. Women can also form employee resource groups at their workplaces. Organizations also dedicate scholarship funding to women enrolling in STEM degree programs.
Pursuing Entrepreneurship
Many women find that self-employment is a better fit for them than traditional employment. Some women choose self-employment so that they can operate a business without facing prejudice for their gender, while others would prefer to take on clients on a freelance business because it allows them to balance work with motherhood.
Additionally, self-employment allows many women to work remotely, travel long-term, or move closer to their families and old friends. It also means there is no ceiling on their earnings, so self-employed women can push for higher incomes.
Prioritizing Work-Life Balance
Women who choose to become mothers may prioritize flexible scheduling over other workplace benefits when it comes to job hunting. Today, fathers tend to contribute more to the domestic workload than men of previous generations. Additionally, in many households, both partners do work full-time.
However, no matter how equal a partnership is, women still have to deal with the physical changes that come along with pregnancy, giving birth, and breastfeeding. It can be tough to cope with all of these changes while trying to hold down a full-time job with an inflexible schedule! Therefore, lots of ambitious women are also on the hunt for flexible positions, which are more popular now with the availability of remote work.
Seeking Healthy Environments
Finally, there is a greater awareness of how your job can affect your mental health. Plus, job hopping is more common than it used to be. This means that a woman who realizes that she has been stuck in a toxic work environment might feel more comfortable leaving. Women no longer have to stick with a bad employer for years on end for the sake of loyalty.
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Do you feel lost when it comes to your own career ambitions? Working with a therapist can help. Reach out to us to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.