With every new piece of technology that has been introduced over the past 200 years, there has been a recurrent fear that technological change will inevitably lead to mass unemployment. But year after year, neoclassical economists have proven this fear to be a misguided one. In addition to producing rising living standards around the world, the industrial age we live in now has created many new employment opportunities around the world, especially for moms.
As many new moms often have to make the unfair decision to put their careers on hold in order to raise their families, it can also be just as difficult to successfully return to the workforce once the kids are old enough to care for themselves. And as a professional working mom seeking to advance in their career or re-enter the workforce, learning how to embrace today’s technology can be incredibly helpful.
But while many job positions today require candidates to have more than a knowledge of spreadsheets or how to research using online search engines, many moms are beginning to understand that they don’t necessarily have to be complete “techies” in order to be able to offer valuable technology skills to their potential employers, and staying up-to-date with and leveraging the most current technology can enhance a career in many ways.
From Print to Podcasts
Before the age of the internet, people were much more limited to what kind of sources they had access to when it came to getting the information they needed on any topic. But when the age of technology became central to people’s lives, local newspapers and magazines had to adapt in order to keep the attention of their audiences, and that’s exactly what Lisa Duggan, the publisher of MotherHood did. Initially a local parenting magazine in New Jersey, Duggan knew that learning web production and keeping up with technology would be the keys to reaching her readers beyond the print magazine. More than just a placeholder, the creation of the MotherHood site enabled Duggan to include additional forms of media, such as daily podcasts and blogs, to continue capturing the attention her target demographic, as well as reaching new audiences.
From Tables to Desktop
When discussing the topic of gaming, the industry has traditionally been dominated by the male population throughout its history. However, in the 21st century, it’s becoming less and less uncommon to see women competing on a professional level. Take online poker, for example. In addition to becoming more involved in live events such as the WSOP (World Series of Poker) and EPT (European Poker Tour), many more female players are making a living by taking their poker skills from the traditional casino to online games and satellite tournaments.
According to Katie Stone, just one of the Grindettes (a group of female online poker grinders), it is “rare to see a table without a woman in any $1k or $1500 event,” she said when asked to discuss her different perspectives of the game. “That is a huge difference from my first Series experience in 2006, where I cannot remember seeing even close to those numbers. There are many reasons for this, but I think the fact that the media is interested in people playing poker in general has started to focus on the more everyday woman who plays poker encourages other women to pick up the game.”
Though not a mother herself, playing online poker has proven to be a lucrative career move for Katie Stone. And as more women continue making their debuts in previously male-dominated industries, such as gaming, we can only expect more to follow suit (no pun intended) in years to come.
The Balancing Act
Being able to make a steady income and raise a family at the same time can become quite challenging for anyone, and balancing such a lifestyle successfully can seem close to impossible at times, especially for stay-at-home moms (a job which inherently comes with its own challenges). While some moms may have the luxury of only being responsible for their children, others must find ways to adapt and balance their work and personal lives on a daily basis.
“When it comes to life, things don’t always work out as planned. There will always be last-minute things that challenge your patience and wreak havoc on the most well-organized schedule.” Though Monica Eaton-Cardone certainly speaks the truth when expressing her concerns as a working mother, she tries her best to keep herself, her work, and her family organized. Using applications like SmartSheet and Cherish Kids, she is able to successfully dedicate her time to both her job and family without sacrificing one over the other. “Some days you may fail, but it is not what defines you – you move on and don’t let this stop you from trying harder next time,” she adds.
While it may be intimidating at first, today’s technology such as apps, digital calendars, and much more were designed to make our everyday lives simpler. Take the time to determine the ideal balance between work and family and you won’t have to worry about missing a thing. To moms around the world: stay calm and get your tech on!