10 Empowering Careers for Super Moms

Despite significant changes in gender roles over recent decades, both first and second wave feminists continue to challenge and evaluate women's societal roles. Should women focus on motherhood, staying home with their children? Should they be career-driven pioneers, disregarding the idea of family while making an even bigger impact than their male counterparts? Or should it be a personal decision for each woman to make?

What has come into focus is the notion that a woman's identity is not defined by whether she chooses to raise children, pursue a career, or do both, but rather by her passion and determination in whichever path she takes. The term 'power mom' has emerged to encapsulate this concept, representing the immense influence women have in the 21st century. According to Nielsen, American moms control $2 trillion in spending across U.S. markets. A 2008 Families and Work Institute survey revealed that 21% more working mothers under 29 wanted greater responsibilities at work compared to 2002. For those power moms seeking career growth, changing fields, or starting fresh, we've curated a list of 10 job options that offer accessibility, flexible schedules, and competitive salaries.

10. Author

With the advent of the Internet, the publishing landscape was transformed. The written word no longer needed to be confined to print, leading to the emergence of numerous new writing careers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2008 that 151,700 writers and authors were employed in the U.S. The median annual salary of around $53,000 offers a considerable financial boost for a power mom's family. The flexible nature of writing allows for adjustable working hours, with deadlines often being the only major time constraint, particularly in freelance writing roles.

Many power moms have blended family life with work by creating blogs that share their daily experiences. For example, Lisa Belkin's parenting blog on the New York Times website and Asha Dornfest's Parent Hacks blog are great illustrations; both were included in Nielsen's Power Mom 50, a list of top voices in the blogging world. While Belkin earns from the hosting site, Dornfest monetizes her blog through ad placements.

9. Proofreader

Just as the rise of the Internet created new writing roles, it also led to the creation of editing positions. After all, someone needs to refine and polish the rough drafts that writers submit. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008, the number of editors was about the same as the number of writers in the U.S., around 130,000, with a median salary of $49,900.

Similar to writing roles, editing positions often offer a great deal of flexibility, with deadlines being the primary time constraint.

While writers may rely on their natural talent to land new jobs, editors typically need a degree (or substantial experience) in the field. This doesn’t necessarily mean a degree in journalism or English has to be displayed in your home office. Editors can transition from any profession that demands high-level writing skills, such as psychology, public relations, or communications. 'Ideal candidates will possess copyediting experience, excellent writing skills, a sharp attention to detail, a solid understanding of AP [Associated Press] style, and a strong work ethic,' reads one freelance copyediting job description.

8. Lawyer

This career undoubtedly demands multiple degrees and a passing score on the state bar exam. However, for power moms who were once practicing attorneys, now could be the perfect time to revisit that law degree and retake the exam.

In legal roles that don't require courtroom appearances, companies are offering more flexibility than before. Take Christine Bloomquist, a partner at Reed Smith law firm in Washington D.C. and a mother of three, who telecommutes two days a week, working from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The growing availability of affordable telecommunications like smartphones and wireless Internet is certainly a factor in the rise of telecommuting and flexible hours. Another likely reason is the shift in the legal workforce's demographics. More women are enrolling in law school now compared to earlier in the century. For instance, the 2009 class at the University of California at Davis School of Law was 55 percent female. Many law firms are responding to the increasing demand for a better work/life balance by offering more adaptable schedules for working mothers.

7. Financial Sector

With the right qualifications and a passion for numbers and data, the financial services industry offers a broad range of career opportunities for power moms. Similar to attorneys, accountants need a degree and certification, but former CPAs who chose to stay home with the kids and now wish to return to work have a solid foundation to work with clients from home or on a reduced schedule at a small firm. For power moms without an accounting degree but a knack for numbers, bookkeeping can be a great entry point. Starting with a small business owner as your first client is a smart move. As you refine your skills and find your balance between family and work, you can gradually take on more clients. The beauty of bookkeeping lies in its low overhead; a computer with Internet access, a fax machine, and spreadsheet software are the essential tools. For those considering a career boost, an accounting degree could be a worthy investment. Reputable online programs are becoming more widely available as schools move to the Web. In 2008, U.S. bookkeepers earned a median salary of $32,510, while accountants earned an average of $65,840.

6. Advisory Roles

A power mom who left her career to stay at home took away something invaluable: experience and perspective. These assets can be highly valuable for companies seeking an external view of their operations, clients, and competitors.

Consulting is perhaps the most influential career choice for power moms. In addition to offering financial rewards, this field commands a level of respect -- the kind that power moms are accustomed to earning from their families. Consulting can range from simple contract work or freelancing for a former employer to running a full-fledged consulting firm, taking on both clients and consultants.

For power moms looking for a middle ground between full-time consulting and freelancing, they can join firms that specialize in matching consultants with businesses in need. Organizations like the National Executive Service Corps connect experienced professionals with nonprofit groups seeking executive guidance. One example is Stacy DeBroff, who combined her parenting expertise with consulting to create Mom Central, an online hub that utilizes the blogosphere for word-of-mouth marketing targeted at moms.

5. Educating

In a post on her Down to Earth blog, best-selling author Jane Green describes power moms as, "The first to volunteer for classroom tasks. She's the Secret Storyteller, showing up not only with an engaging book but also with homemade double chocolate chip fudge caramel whirl brownies."

A natural progression for power moms with a passion for classroom involvement would be to pursue a teaching career. Starting as a substitute teacher is a sensible first step for those with no prior teaching experience. The requirements to become a substitute vary by region. For example, California mandates that substitutes hold a bachelor's degree, while Wyandotte County, Mich., permits substitutes with 90 or more college credits, even if they haven't graduated.

Power moms with a master's degree can pursue teaching positions at community colleges, and those with a doctorate can become professors at four-year institutions. While substitute teaching offers the most flexibility, professors also enjoy relatively flexible schedules. Postsecondary educators work an average of 15 to 22 hours per week, with adjunct professors working fewer hours.

4. Visual Design

Thanks to the Internet revolution, power moms now have the freedom to design their own work schedules. For those with a knack for creating and editing visuals, a career in graphic design could be a great fit.

Much like writers and editors, graphic designers enjoy significant schedule flexibility. With an Internet connection and the necessary software, they can work remotely or telecommute. Freelance graphic design tends to be deadline-driven: Companies often prefer designers with formal art education or experience in the field. Moms can build their portfolios quickly by starting with small freelance projects, such as designing ads for local newspapers or creating promotional flyers for small businesses.

Graphic designers earn an average annual salary of $43,380. While entering the field requires an investment in specialized software, the cost can be worthwhile. For example, Adobe's Creative Suite, an industry-standard software package, can be purchased for approximately $1,600.

3. Real Estate

Power moms' meticulous attention to detail and boundless energy make them perfect candidates for a career in real estate. If you enjoy closing deals in a fast-paced, competitive industry, real estate could be a great fit. Plus, the job aligns well with family life, as many hours are dictated by client appointments.

However, real estate agents don't typically work easy hours. They frequently put in 40-hour weeks and work evenings or weekends to accommodate clients who need to see homes outside regular office hours. The flexibility to create a personalized schedule is an advantage, as 59% of U.S. realtors (who earned a median salary of around $40,000 in 2008) are self-employed.

Becoming a real estate agent involves some initial costs, including broker school fees around $350 and licensing fees, which are typically less than $100.

2. Health Care

The field of health care encompasses various roles, many of which involve long shifts—often 12 hours—several days a week, all dedicated to restoring the health of those in need.

A schedule of three consecutive workdays followed by four days off can offer a significant amount of quality time for a power mom to spend with her family. Additionally, there is a broad range of career options to choose from. In 2008, 10 of the 20 fastest-growing industries in the U.S. were in the health care sector, which already employed 14.3 million people, with another 3.2 million positions expected to be created by 2018.

The health care field offers a wide variety of roles, with differing levels of expertise and educational requirements. At the high end of the spectrum, physicians command the highest pay and educational demands. Power moms can also enter as nurses, lab technicians, or through various other pathways. Some of the leading hospitals, like the Mayo Clinic, even offer full tuition coverage for nursing or medical education, and many others contribute to education costs as well.

However, it’s important to note that 12-hour shifts can be physically and mentally exhausting. A 2004 study on Taiwanese electronics workers, who were on similar shifts, showed higher rates of addiction, depression, and paranoia compared to other groups.

1. Entrepreneur

There's almost nothing stopping a power mom from fully diving into her goals. We've already covered career options that can transition into self-employment, like freelancing, but have you thought about creating your own business?

In the U.S., several organizations, both governmental and private, exist to support women in business ownership. The U.S. Small Business Administration has an Office of Women's Business Ownership that serves as a resource center for grants, advice, and assistance for female entrepreneurs.

Starting a successful business requires careful planning. Dedicate some time and resources to learning how to write a strong business plan, or collaborate with a fellow power mom who works as a technical writer. You could also team up with one who is an accountant to help determine a realistic amount to borrow. The SBA recommends securing enough funds to cover all startup expenses (such as equipment or office setup) and a full year of operational costs, including salaries for yourself and your employees, as well as supplies and utilities to keep the business running smoothly.