After years of climbing the corporate ladder, Maria, 48, from Melbourne, realised that she was missing out on important family moments. With the support of her family, she made the tough decision to scale back her career and focus on her family. Today, she has found a better work-life balance and is enjoying the best of both worlds.
Interviewer: Hi Maria, thank you for joining us today to share your story. Can you tell us a bit about your career background and what led you to scale back your career?
Maria: Hi, thanks for having me. I worked in the corporate world for over 20 years, primarily in the finance industry. I enjoyed the challenges and the opportunities for growth, but as I got older, I realised that my priorities had shifted. I wanted to spend more time with my family, especially my children who were growing up too fast.
Interviewer: How did you approach the decision to scale back your career? Was it a difficult decision?
Maria: It was definitely a difficult decision, but I knew that I needed to make a change in order to prioritise my family. I talked to my husband and my children about it, and they were very supportive. I also had to think about the financial implications and make sure that we could still support ourselves with a reduced income.
Interviewer: How did your employer react when you told them about your decision?
Maria: I was lucky to have a supportive employer who understood my situation. They offered me a part-time role with reduced responsibilities, which allowed me to maintain a connection with the company and continue to use my skills and expertise.
Interviewer: How has scaling back your career impacted your life and your family?
Maria: It has been a positive change for all of us. I now have more time to spend with my family, and I am able to attend important events and milestones that I would have missed out on before. I also have more time to pursue my own interests and hobbies, which has been a great source of personal fulfillment.
Interviewer: What advice would you give to other women who may be considering scaling back their careers?
Maria: I would encourage them to think about their priorities and what is most important to them. It is okay to put your family first and to make adjustments to your career to achieve a better work-life balance. Don't be afraid to have conversations with your employer about your needs and explore options for flexible work arrangements.
Interviewer: Thank you so much for sharing your story, Maria. You are an inspiration to other women who may be struggling to find a balance between their careers and their families.
Maria: Thank you, I hope my story can help others who may be facing similar challenges.
* Names and photos have been changed to protect the subjects anonynimity where requested.