For many women with a growing family, the idea of leaving a full time job is a no brainer, while others grapple with choosing family over career. I’ve certainly experienced the latter. But now there’s a new social media site aimed at giving moms a chance at keeping one foot in the workforce.
When former vice president and deputy general counsel for Major League Baseball, Jennifer Gefsky decided to return to corporate America after eight years of being a stay-at-home mom, she hit a wall. Even though she had a law degree and years of experience, finding a job was tough, and sadly there are many other moms sharing that burden.
Like Gefsky, there are women who leave their professional career for personal reasons, including taking care of their children. They also face a difficult obstacle of returning to work.
According to the Center for Talent Innovation, almost 75% resigned from their jobs to take care of kids. Nearly 90% said they wanted to return to work at some point.
The survey also revealed that the mothers who left their jobs remained out of the workforce for less than three years, and only 40% were able to find a full time job.
This statistic led to Gefsky creating an online network that allows women who leave the workforce to continue networking, so that they don’t lose the professional connections they made while working.
With the help of registered dietitian and mom, Niccole Kroll, the two decided to launch Après, a social media networking site aimed at helping women re-enter the workforce.
Most of the members are women ages 35 and older. However, the duo said they would like to specifically target millennials who may be looking to start a family.
As a career mom who recently gone through this situation, it’s great to see that there is an avenue available that will help me get back on my career path. While it’s not clear whether the site is geared toward journalism, there are opportunities across various industries. Just the idea of being able to network, get career advice, and “stay in the know” is totally worth it.
Moreover, I would imagine that there would be no awkward pause when a potential employer asks about the gap in my career. It appears that affiliated companies will more than likely understand the situation.
Like LinkedIn, Après is free to join and search jobs. But there is a charge for those wanting to be found by potential employers.
What do you think about Après and its mission to help women return to the workforce?
CommentsPhotos: Unsplash
Stacy-Ann Gooden (aka Weather Anchor Mama) can be seen delivering the weather forecast on the news in New York City. But her most important role is being a wife and mom. She writes about balancing career and motherhood in her blog, Weather Anchor Mama. You can also follow her on twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
