Career-Mums runs regular Relaunch your Career workshop programmes in Solihull, Leamington Spa and Birmingham. Everyone we speak to thinks they are a great idea and can see how useful they could be for someone that has taken a career break. All our participants have loved the programme and have got a great deal out of coming along. And we love running them – we know how important it is to have some gentle, encouraging support and practical help to enable you to transition into the work that you want and that also works for your family situation.
Maybe you are tempted / interested / would love to join us BUT not booked yet. Here are some of the reasons that might be stopping you:
- Cost – it’s too expensive!
The cost of attending one of our Programmes is £100. For this, you get:
- Three weekly workshops lasting 3 hours each run by an experienced Career-Mums trainer/careers coach,
- programme notes,
- refreshments,
- (usually free) car parking,
- membership of closed a Facebook support group
This is an investment in yourself and your future, with the possibility of a fantastic return on your investment when you start the job of your dreams or get your fledging business idea off the ground. At £100, it’s like investing the cost of a new outfit in your future potential.
One of our recent participants had her place on the programme gifted by her mother – perhaps it’s something to pop onto your Christmas or Birthday present list!
- Time – you haven’t got the time to attend!
We scheduled the programmes to help parents as much as possible. The programme is structured as 3 weekly x 3hr sessions during school hours (normally 10am – 1pm).
For mothers, with pre-school age children, whilst we are unable to provide child care, another of our recent participants brought along her 2 month old baby who was a welcome distraction for us all (although he mostly slept through each session). Alternatively ask a friend or family member to help out with child-care whilst you attend the workshops.
This is a great opportunity to meet other women in a similar situation to you and lovely to be in a different, supportive environment. We always chose venues that are welcoming, warm, small and friendly.
If time management is one of your challenges, we have some helpful exercises within the programme to help you review what you are doing and how you are doing in order to create time to relaunch your career.
As working mothers ourselves, we also know that life can get in the way of our best laid plans. If you are unable to make a session (e.g. one of your children is sick), then we will always offer a phone or Skype session to catch up with what has been missed.
- You’re not ready to return to work yet
When is the ideal time to attend our workshops? Only you can know the answer to this, but there is a value in being prepared, even if you’re not quite ready to return to work at this stage.
Some of us are naturally longer term planners – we’ve had many ladies on our programmes who have created return to work plans for 3 and 5 years hence giving them the time to think about retraining for a new career and steps that can be taken to get ready at this stage.
And some of us don’t plan so far in advance…whichever category you fall into, we will help you to develop your return to work plans around your own time scales, priorities and family needs.
- You don’t know anyone else
If you are concerned about coming along by yourself and not knowing anyone else, please be reassured that our workshops are welcoming, friendly and relaxed. The majority of our participants don’t know anyone else on their programme, but quickly get to know each other, and most stay in touch with each other afterwards.
We’re always happy to chat with you beforehand to provide any reassurance you might need and explain how the programme works in detail.
In returning to work, whether as an employee, freelancer or business owner, you will need to interact with new people and build relationships – our workshops give you the ideal opportunity to practice and gain confidence. We also give you some amazing confidence boosting strategies during one of the workshops, as we tend to find that everyone needs some help with confidence, whether it be for attending an interview, pitching for some business or asking people for help.
- You’re not sure if it’s for you
All our participants are quite unique – different and far-ranging career backgrounds, family set-ups, different age children. We’ve had delegates who are newly on maternity leave through to women that have had a career break of 20 years; we’ve had people who have a very firm idea of what they want to do and those that don’t; we’ve had women wanting to start their own business to those that want full-time or part-time employment; we’ve had some delegates who are employed and looking to change their career direction – we’re all different – we help you figure out what you want and how you can make it happen.
If you’re unsure whether one of our Relaunch your Career programmes is suitable for you, we’re happy to talk it through with you beforehand..
- You’re happy being a SAHM
Well this is fantastic – and we recognise the importance of making parenting decisions based on what is right for you and your family. However, your situation might change – as your children start nursery/primary/secondary/university your choices, needs and priorities might change. Research shows that working parents are generally happier and healthier than their stay at home equivalents, so it may be time for you to think ahead to your future and think about what you might want for yourself – achievement, independence, professional identity, realise your potential, purposefulness – and gaining these whilst your children’s needs are met.
If you are unable to attend one of our programmes due to location or other commitments, we offer Relaunch your Career coaching where you have a programme of 1:1 sessions with a Career-Mum’s coach usually via Skype or phone. Or if you have any other reasons not to come along, do get in touch and let us know.
So if there’s nothing else stopping you – book your place at one of our next workshops, visit www.career-mums/returners.
