📝Writer and Career Counselor Takesan
"I don't want to give up either my career or pregnancy and childbirth."
"I want to have a career, but I also want to have children someday."
I'm sure there are many women who work hard every day with this in mind. However, when they think about pregnancy and childbirth, many women face the anxiety of "will I have to give up my career?" If they prioritize their career, they might miss the opportunity to get pregnant, or if they do get pregnant, they might lose their chance for promotion... With such pressure, how can they achieve a work style that allows them to "value both"?
Can you balance pregnancy and your career?
Society has been changing little by little in recent years. With improved maternity and childcare leave systems, the spread of remote work and flextime, and even encouragement for men to participate in childcare, it's now easier than ever to balance pregnancy and childbirth with a career. However, even though systems have been put in place, not all workplaces are "easy-to-balance environments." For this reason, it's important to think in advance about "to what extent you can balance both at your workplace" and create a career plan.
Career strategies when considering pregnancy
So, let's think about what thoughts and actions would be effective if you are considering pregnancy while also building your career.
1. Research the company's policies in advance.
Research the cases of senior employees who have actually taken maternity leave and childcare leave and how they have worked since returning to work . Understanding whether reduced working hours are possible and what position you can return to after returning will make it easier to imagine how you will work in the future .
2. Increase your market value. Focus on improving your skills so that you can continue to be active after pregnancy and childbirth.
In particular, having highly specialized skills or skills that can be utilized in remote work will broaden your work style options . There are a wide variety of qualification acquisition and online courses available these days, so why not consider a wide range of options?
3. Have a flexible career plan.
If you think, "I have to be promoted by this age" or "I have to change jobs by age XX," it will be difficult to balance this with the timing of pregnancy. If you think flexibly about your career options in response to life events and keep in mind how you can grow in the long term , you may be able to build a career with less stress.
Don't give up on your career after pregnancy
The following points are important to keep in mind in order to continue your career as stress-free as possible after pregnancy.
1. Consult with those around you as soon as possible. Once you find out you're pregnant, talk to your boss and colleagues about handing over your work.
Regarding how you will work after returning, communicating the amount of work you can handle will make it easier for you to resume your career smoothly.
2. Discuss the division of roles with your partner .
When considering how to work after pregnancy and childbirth, it is essential to have your partner's support . Discussing how to divide up housework and childcare responsibilities and clarifying how you can cooperate will make it easier to balance work and family life .
3. Cherish the experiences you can only have now .
Pregnancy and childbirth are major life changes, but they are by no means the end of your career . There are many experiences and lessons that can only be had during this time, and you can use them in your future career . Do n't rush, and build your career at your own pace .
Towards a society where people don't give up on their careers, pregnancy or childbirth
We've introduced important points and a concrete action plan for balancing your career with pregnancy and childbirth. However, you may find yourself wondering, "I don't know what I want to do" or "Where should I start?" If that's you, why not try EggU's online career coaching ? Let's work together to think about how to balance your career and life.
📝Writer and Career Counselor Takesan
The profile is also available on Instagram .
