Yes, I am one of those people who switched their majors a few times, took some time off to “sew my oats,” and enjoyed the collegiate process so much it took until I was twenty-nine and fifty-weeks old to earn my bachelor’s degree. But hey, I cannot complain as I had a lot of fun doing it. However, it did derail my childrearing years somewhat. My first son was born two years after I completed college and while I was in the midst of building my career.
Marketing and advertising are my fields of choice. When I was around five months pregnant with my oldest, I became disenchanted by all the backstabbing and dishonesty I found in specific agencies. The hunt for an honorable, good-natured firm was on.
Trusted colleagues of mine suggested that I consider the following when reentering the workforce:
- Start your job search with a focus
- Refresh your resume
- Build your professional network
- Inform your network
- Consider part-time or contract work
- Develop your elevator pitch
- Get help from a career coach
- Prepare for your interview
While working for that agency, I was privileged to work beside a trustworthy, honest, talented, and professional photographer whom we hired to shoot our events and food clients. During one of those shoots, while I was five months pregnant and still relatively green in my field, that upstanding photographer offered me a position with his company after a lengthy (private) conversation about my disenchantment with some dishonest colleagues. This was different; they were a respectable, honest, humble, and professional employer organization in Michigan, and that was exactly what I was looking for. So naturally, I accepted!
Not only did I still feel good about myself after days working with the new firm, but I had the fortunate opportunity to work from home. If you are old enough to remember, working from home was not as common as it is today, especially after the COVID-19 global shutdown.
I got to be with my brand-new baby and work at the same time. Of course, I needed help, so my mom would babysit at my house while I worked. Then came baby number two, and my mom and I had our hands full! Unfortunately, it was short-lived, as my mom passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. However, I continued to work from home, although I was not able to generate as much income without extra help.
Some time passed, and I convinced my ex-husband to start a landscaping business. My firm and I built the brand from the ground up – not just with professional photography and traditional marketing, but now we are also a digital marketing firm with capabilities we had never had before.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and there was a global shutdown. The marketing company I worked for was still growing, and we doubled down on our efforts to market the landscaping during the shutdown, which was great because we gained the sometimes-elusive market share in the process.
As you may have guessed, I divorced the landscaping guy, but not before I decided that I needed to step back from our partnership and find more consistent work outside of the home.
How do stay at home moms reenter the workforce?
Technically, I wasn’t a traditional stay at home mom in the general sense. And I am going out on a limb here and guess that a lot of us stay at home moms aren’t as traditional either. During my “stay at home” stint, I worked as a senior creative representative for the photography/digital marketing firm, the marketing manager/bookkeeper for the landscaping business, and a writer/reporter for our local newspaper.
Furthermore, I was a mom of pre-teens who ran a 24/7 mom concierge service (haha), volunteered at my kids’ school each morning and at events, was a den leader in cub scouts, a little league baseball coach and a Sunday school teacher at our local place of worship. To say I had a lot of balls in the air at once would be an understatement! That didn’t last long; as you can guess, I got burnt out. At the same time, my marriage was falling apart, and I needed to find one single source of income so I could support myself and my sons without his income or a part in the family business we built. Additionally, I needed to secure a position that would allow me the flexibility to work from home most days and earn a good living.
Luck would have it that my photography boss would once again offer me exactly what I needed. Instead of being a commission-based salesperson, I would now be on payroll with a weekly paycheck I could count on. Comfortable in making the switch from being a “front man” to working behind the scenes as a writer/SEO Production Manager, I excelled and have not looked back since.
Best jobs for reentering the workforce
As it turns out, my firm continues to grow, and I keep earning raises and taking on more responsibilities. While I am not getting rich quickly, I make a good living and am grateful for the life I lead today. Below are ten of the top high-paying jobs for reentering the workforce that Career Karma recommends:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Data Analyst
- Software Developer
- Consultant
- Real Estate Agent
- Digital Copywriter
- Professor
- Digital Entrepreneur
- Virtual Assistant
- Web Designer
Reentering the workforce can be a daunting task, but with the right mindset and preparation, it can also be an exciting new chapter in your life. Taking the time to focus on your job search, update your resume, and build your professional network can make a significant difference in your reentry journey. Informing your network of your intentions, considering part-time or contract work, and developing a concise elevator pitch can help you stand out to potential employers.
Seeking guidance from a career coach and diligently preparing for interviews can also boost your confidence and chances of success. Remember, reentering the workforce is a process, and it’s okay to take it step by step.
How to reenter the workforce
Whether you’re considering a career change or looking to return to your previous field, exploring high-paying job opportunities like nursing, data analysis, software development, consulting, or digital entrepreneurship can open up new possibilities for growth and fulfillment. Embrace this new beginning with optimism and determination, and you’ll be on your way to a rewarding career reentry journey.