Being a mom is such a special feeling for every woman, as it automatically changes your priorities in life. Obviously, you want to spend more time with your baby and have a job that requires less time; the kind of balance desired by any new mom. You want to enjoy raising your child, as well as keeping all your important relationships safe without any damage. If you don’t want to go back to your old job after maternity leave and are considering a new career opportunity, check out our inspirational list of jobs suitable for new mothers.
We believe this list is relevant because more and more mothers are choosing to join the workforce. According to a new American Community Survey, 68 per cent of women with children under the age of 6 were either working or looking for a job in 2011. That’s a rather sharp increase from 63 percent in 2005. They might be looking, but according to most economical and job market analyses these days, finding a job is not that easy. Employees struggle with a dwindling number of new jobs, while employers are having trouble with identifying the right candidates for their openings. If you want to be the right person at the right time, think about whether or not any of the ideas below would suit you – and don’t forget to embrace change.
Top 10 Jobs Suitable for New Mothers
1. Viral Video Star
That’s not a job, right? Well… in this day and age, it can actually be considered one. You’ve definitely seen the Charlie bit my finger again video, right? It’s one of the Internet’s biggest viral video hits. According to The Times, the Davies-Carr family, namely the parents of the two babies in the video, have probably made some GPB 100,000 out of their kids’ online success. We are in no way suggesting that you start pawning off your baby’s cuteness for YouTube cash. However, if you’ve got a camera around a knack for storytelling, who knows what might come of it?
2. Freelance Design and Illustration Artist
Does that sound like the kind of job that’s never going to pay your bills? Think again – if you have a keen eye for design, there are plenty of opportunities out there for you to consider. They range from book illustrator, to layout artist, to interior designer, to photographer, to digital artist. First off, you clearly need to build your portfolio and improve your skills, but, luckily, in the day and age of the Internet, there are plenty of ways to do that. You can sign up for a free online design course at Coursera, for instance, and you can upload your work to a platform like CargoCollective, which has been designed with emerging artists’ showcases in mind.
3. Culinary Artist
Love cooking? Nobody’s saying you have to, since we don’t believe in the misogynistic cliches according to which all women are necessarily fulfilling traditional gender roles. However, if you do know your way around the kitchen, you can choose to sign up for a certificate degree in the culinary arts at your local community college. Culinary artist is a great career track and one of the best jobs suitable for new mothers. There are plenty of job opportunities for certificate holders, among which perhaps the most exciting is that of personal chef. According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a personal chef is $64,000, which is not half bad, considering all you have to do is cook for your clients on a regular basis.
4. Homeopath
A degree in medicine isn’t absolutely required, as long as you have a certification in this field, including acupuncture and aromatherapy. To obtain this certification, you need to attend short courses, certificate programs or diploma programs, plus you also need to have a passion for healing people. If you have any sort inclination toward medicine, this alternative job may be a great way to see your dream come true. A homeopath always has a non-invasive remedy to keep others healthy and happy.
5. Technical Writer
Another important parenting skill is high attention to details, especially when kids are around. Why not using it to embrace a new job as a technical writer. Do you have good English skills and fast typing skills? It means that you may be qualified for this opportunity that involves creating user manuals for different gadgets or online help guides. Moreover, this line of work also allows you to work as a freelancer and organize your own hours, so if you think it’s right for you, feel free to read more about it here.
6. Web Developer
It’s no secret to anyone that the number of men working in the technology field is higher than the number of females. Even so, we’ve been see a plethora of online technology opportunities emerge lately and women in tech are likely to have an advantage in the workforce, while also enjoying a better work-life balance. If you love technology, this field is an amazing chance for women who want to work from home and have a flexible schedule. Being a web developer may be an appealing career for reasons such as the diversity of projects, flexible hours and online work to spend more time at home with family. A recent survey conducted by Elance has indicated that 80 percent of women remain optimistic about the future of tech careers, while 32 percent say they are very optimistic.
7. Crafting Entrepreneur
Many are suspicious of the word ‘entrepreneur’, but the truth is that being a new mom is actually a good time to consider such a career path. You’re at home most of the time and you probably sorely need some form of activity to keep your mind and hands engaged so this is one of jobs suitable for new mothers. Why not take up a form of crafting that you used to enjoy a while back, or even learn a new craft? From knitwear to felt to novelty jewelry, there’s a place to sell anything online these days. Of course, the Etsy platform is by far the most popular venue for such endeavors and it has already produced some massive success stories. Don’t take our word for it: check out the tale of a 22 year-old who made well over $22,000 there.
8. Lactation Consultant
As funny as its title may seem, this is also one of the greatest jobs suitable for new mothers. It’s a job in the health field and requires the title holder to provide breastfeeding support and education for new moms. Are you usually inclined to help other new moms during the most important period of their life? Then, this job could be a new career path opportunity for you. As a lactation consultant, you will work directly with women right after childbirth and offer them full support, so that they and their babies are getting the best treatment. These consultants are certified through different training courses and credentials are recognized by the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) or Advanced Lactation Consultant (ALC).
9. Day Care Center Operator/Teacher
Let’s say your baby has reached the right age to go to day care and you can get a job there and receive payment for supervising your own kid, together with the kids of others. Does it seem like a good idea? On average, a child care provider in the United States makes $52,000. Ask for available positions in that particular institution and see how you can work during the day. Two of the most important skills required are patience and love for kids, but you are already have them, right?
10. Life Coach
One of the golden rules of these hard times is to be flexible and use your transferable abilities to other tangent areas where you can earn some money. It’s quite surprising how often people change their careers and spouses lately, so be a guide to the undecided and the confused person. One of the most important skills acquired by mothers during parenting is the special ability to offer advice and help children live a better and happier life. Most life coaches are trained in specialized institutions, but today you can attend courses online, while also signing up for offline lectures with your local university. You can receive a coaching accreditation from the International Coach Federation or the International Association of Coaching.
Any new moms (or dads) out there, among our readers? What are, in your experience, the best jobs suitable for new mothers? What do you think are the least suited ones? Would you choose to go right back to work after having a baby? Let us know – we’d love to hear your opinion on this topic!