Two phases make up the women's career. The first phase is about pursuing a career and the second is about combining work with family. Women are often punished for taking time off and working long hours. Women face another obstacle: a lack of equal opportunities. Also, it can be hard to balance work and home with long workweeks.
Two phases are required for women's careers
This study aims to examine the nature of women's careers throughout their lives. This research design incorporates interviews, life stories, and thematic analysis. It uses codes to identify key factors that impact career choices. These findings reveal that women's career paths are influenced by their beliefs and work environments. These data were used by the researchers to create a three-phase age-linked model that explains women's career progression.
For career advancement in the early stages, this phase is vital. The next phase involves moving up to management. McKinsey research has shown that women often fall behind when it comes to advancing from the entry-level to management level. According to the Women in the Workplace 2021 report, women hold approximately one-third of the first-level managerial positions and 41% of engineering jobs.
Working long hours can make it difficult to take time off
Over four million U.S. workers prefer working full-time, even if it means they have to take time off for work. This could include reasons other than economic, such as parental issues, health problems or the need for further education. It can lead to a loss of career or poor well-being for women, particularly if you have young children. This could lead to a pay penalty of up 18 percent.
Inequality
Women say they don't have equal career opportunities in all areas. This gap is not equal based on race or industry. However, it is more pronounced in male-dominated industries. This is especially true for energy and utilities, engineering, construction, and science. Many men attribute this disparity to a belief in meritocracy, but it is likely that women in these fields feel differently. This difference in perceptions is one of the main reasons why women often leave high-paying industries.
There are many policies that can address this problem. For a fair future, it is vital to create a narrative that includes all workers and values their skills and experience. Gender equity can be achieved by implementing equal pay and promotion policies.
Combining work and family can be difficult
Women today face one of the most difficult challenges: juggling work and home. It doesn't matter if you're new to motherhood or have been working in corporate America for years, it can be challenging to manage your family and career. However, it is possible. There are many policies that can help you achieve the best work-life balance.
Some workplaces are better for women than others. A mother used to look for higher-paying positions that allowed her to work while also juggling family responsibilities. In today's world, women might be criticized if they try to balance their careers with raising children. If she tells her male partner about her new career plans, for example, they might respond passive-aggressively or with sarcasm.
Support networks for females
A women's job network offers a supportive group for women who want their career dreams to become a reality. The collective energy and inspiration of these women can make it possible for women to overcome obstacles. These networks are also a great resource for women looking to gain inspiration and get information that can help their career.
Women's Chapter is a London-based networking group that provides a great example for a women's network. This organization supports women-founded companies and women in business. The organization hosts events for ordinary women and industry leaders. There are three levels available for membership to the network. There are three types of membership available: Corporate Membership, Business Membership, Community Membership.