Why the Traditional Career Path No Longer Works for Many Women
For decades, career success was defined by staying with one company, climbing a predictable ladder, and avoiding career breaks. That model did not account for motherhood, caregiving, burnout, or the desire to build meaningful work. A nonlinear career path looks different. It may include changing industries, taking time off, starting a side business, or exploring entrepreneurship while working a 9 to 5 job. These choices may feel disconnected in the moment, but over time they build valuable skills and clarity. I shared my own career transition from a paralegal role into entrepreneurship. I did not leave because I lacked discipline or ambition. I left because I wanted flexibility, fulfillment, and work that aligned with my life as a mother.How Motherhood Changes Career Goals and Identity
One of the most important parts of our conversation focused on how becoming a parent changes how women see their careers. Many women tie their identity to productivity and achievement. Motherhood shifts priorities, energy, and time. The question often changes from “What is the next step?” to “What actually fits my life right now?” We talked honestly about balancing career growth with family life during pregnancy, early motherhood, and major life transitions. Wanting flexibility does not mean you lack drive. It means your definition of success has changed.Career Gaps and Nonlinear Experience Are Not a Weakness
One of the biggest fears women have when navigating career pivots is how their resume will be judged. Career gaps, industry changes, side hustles, and time off for family are often viewed as problems. Siena reframed this clearly. The issue is not the gap. The issue is whether you can tell your story with confidence. Many companies value employees with diverse experiences, transferable skills, and adaptability. Learning how to connect your career dots means focusing on skills gained, lessons learned, and alignment with company values. Your career path is not random. It is layered.Career Transition Tips for Moms and Side Entrepreneurs
Another key reminder from our conversation is that entrepreneurship is not the only answer. Not every career shift requires quitting your job or starting from scratch. Before making a big change, Siena encourages women to explore opportunities within their current role, test interests through low risk experiments, and reflect on their motivations. Sometimes growth looks like negotiating flexibility, taking on new projects, or slowly building a side business. Career progress does not always look dramatic. Often it looks like curiosity and experimentation.Why Growth Feels Uncomfortable During Career Pivots
Nonlinear careers require comfort with uncertainty. Trying something new often means feeling inexperienced, misunderstood, or unsure. I shared my own fear of starting over. What feels like starting from zero is often starting with years of experience, skills, and perspective. Every role, pause, and pivot adds value. No experience is wasted. The biggest lesson from this conversation is simple. Life and career are rarely linear, especially for mothers and women building businesses. A nonlinear career does not mean unfocused. It means intentional. It means choosing alignment over appearances and purpose over expectations. If you are questioning your career, navigating a pivot, or redefining success after becoming a mom, you are not behind. You are evolving. One day, when you look back, the dots will connect in ways you could not have planned. 💌 Want More Stories Like This?
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Want more like this? Read From One Mom-Creator to Another: How a Pink Bunny Pulled Me Into Publishing, Platforms, and Purpose
