5 Ways to Avoid the Mommy Track

Being a working Mom requires project management skills as well as balance. Moms like other employees are valuable assets who share great ideas, business acumen and innovation. Yet, some women may be side-lined for advancement because of their passion for their family life or ability to leverage flexible work schedules. This process is referred to as "Mommy Tracking."
According to a recent Huffington Post article, there has been an 800% increase in the "number of working Moms since 1860." The reasons for the increase in Moms at the office include everything from fulfilling economic needs, geography, and etc.
While there are more working mothers today, they also want to achieve career success based on their talents and education. In addition, some organizations are making strides to help Moms gain training and education to become future leaders. Still, there are some challenges to success based on perceptions.
How can Moms ensure they are continually viewed as assets and leaders? Here are 5 ways to avoid the Mommy Track.

1. Share your innovative ideas and implement them
2. Be the subject matter expert based on your specific core skills
3. Trouble-shoot issues for the team
4. Talk with your manager to create a work schedule that meets the needs of the business and also allows you time with family
5. Offer to take the lead on highly visible projects that will increase your skill sets

Work/Life Balance: Time to renew your priorities

Some people were raised with the belief that you work hard every day and you will get promoted as well as earn enough money to care for your family. The term work-life balance is the harmonious blend of one's personal and professional goals. But is this concept a reality for everyone or a passing dream?

It depends on the goals you identify for yourself. Some people may believe the accumulation of title after title is the "master plan" for their destiny with 100% effort focused on their careers. And that is alright if that is what you seek. Others realize that work is part of the bigger picture which includes family, children and friends.

Employees are often encouraged to create a 5-year plan outlining their career goals to share with their manager. Take out that plan or create a new one by adding a list of personal goals based on some of the topics below.
Work Life Balance:

• Conduct a personal assessment of your skills
• Determine your preferred job
  • Focus on the type of work you want to do instead of a specific job title
  • Consider the role you want (leader, manager or staff)
  • Decide if you need additional skills to prepare for a career change
• Identify the type of work environment that interests you
• Shadow a person who has the type of job you seek to obtain a real-world glimpse of their daily work routine
• Learn more about the skills required for the career you seek and take additional training as needed
• Talk with your manager to achieve the ideal work schedule (full time, flex schedule or part-time)
• Schedule in the fun with family and friends

How to Change the Course of Your Career

Where are you going with your job? Do you know what to expect from your job as a foundation for your career aspirations? Sometimes the first job after college is the one we may stick with because it meets a certain need. Fast forward five years later and you realize that your world or your dreams may have taken a back seat to your true career goals.

If you are feeling disconnected from your current job, consider a "Career Course Correction." For example, you may be in a role in your organization where your work is routine and your ability to develop new skills is limited because some complacency may have set in. Or, you are so dependable in your current role that your manager may not be willing to let you participate in rotational assignments or training because no one else is trained to fill in for you.

When similar situations like the ones above happen, it is a sign that you may want to sit down and reassess what you want out of a career opportunity. For example, if you are great at designing web sites but you took a job as a contract specialist because they were the only ones hiring then it is time to get your priorities back on track.

Moreover, change is inevitable in your organization and your ability to move forward means two things:

• You need to decide if you are willing to change careers
• You can honestly conduct some self-assessment regarding your skills to become more self-aware

The next phase in a course correction includes communicating your career aspirations with your manager. This will provide an opportunity to share your career vision, obtain insight into opportunities that may be available in your current organization or realize if you need to leave your organization to follow your dreams. Most importantly, you will need to actively listen to the information your manager provides.

Then take a moment to write down what you really want to achieve as part of your personal 5-year professional development plan. Also, identify areas of opportunity and improvement to keep you on a steady and forward motion on your career path.