How Identity Has Influenced a Senior Human Resources Manager's Career at Precision Construction Services
Stephanie's experience as a working mother in corporate America significantly impacted their career navigation, highlighting the challenges of "finding adequate childcare" and managing perceptions of work-life balance. They advise younger working mothers to "set boundaries" and openly communicate needs with management, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing family and utilizing available support systems.
Work-Life Balance, Challenges for Working Mothers, Navigating Corporate America, Setting Boundaries, Flexibility in the Workplace
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Stephanie McDonald
Sr. Human Resources Manager
Precision Construction Services
Cal Poly - SLO
Communications
Architecture, Construction & Design
Human Resources (HR)
Honors Student, Greek Life Member, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Stephanie's experience as a working mother in corporate America highlights the challenges of balancing work and family life, including childcare costs and inflexible work hours.
2. She emphasizes the importance of open communication with managers about limitations and setting boundaries to achieve a better work-life balance.
3. Stephanie advises younger professionals to prioritize their families and seek help when needed, leveraging available resources and protections to navigate the challenges of balancing work and motherhood.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as female and a mother, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
Identifying as female comes naturally to me, but being a mother was a very learned role. This wasn't just about learning how to raise children; it was about being a working mother in corporate America.
That role presented a multitude of challenges, from finding adequate childcare and its cost to the demanding work hours. The perception of working mothers, and of taking time off after having a child, significantly impacted my career.
Now that I have older children, seven and five, I can reflect on the early stages of finding my identity as a mother. I wish my younger self didn't have to struggle pretending to have work-life balance or to do everything that both work and home life demanded without making others aware.
I don't mean complaining, but rather having direct conversations with my manager about what I can and cannot do, and the hours I can and cannot work. Many preschools or daycares are only open from eight to five. If you're doing pickups and drop-offs, this might mean arriving at eight-thirty and leaving at four-thirty.
Perceptions and assumptions are made when you're not working overtime or in the office for a set number of hours a week. Luckily, in my current role, I have that flexibility.
To my younger self, and to any mother trying to find her place in corporate America, I would want her to know that it's okay to admit when you need help. It's okay to set boundaries about what you can and cannot do, because ultimately, your family should be the priority. There are protections available, especially in California, to help navigate motherhood in corporate America.