They Can Have It All
"How will I decide what career I want?" asked my soon-to-be-sophomore in high school daughter. "I love biology and math—genetics is fun—and I’d really like to help find a cure for cancer, but I also love art and fashion. And I’d really like to own my own business!" I just smiled with pride, remembering that a career choice was the farthest thing from my mind at age 14.
I know my motherly role in today’s society is to support her in whatever career choice she may be interested. Fortunately, at this time, hers are all choices I can support enthusiastically, and I’m glad she’s asking me. I’m sure I can speak for many baby boomer moms who would like to reply, "Honey, I’m still trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up!" But being the mature mom, I’d like to help her make some initial decisions to ensure an easier journey.
While job security is not what it used to be, opportunities are endless for a motivated young woman. There are many role models our daughters can read about in The Peoria Woman. There is significance in the recognition women receive, such as the YWCA Leader Award winners featured in this issue. The biographies of the 40 Leaders Under Forty announced each Fall show the variety of careers chosen and accomplishments of those recognized. Careers along with colleges are available for all to research on the Internet, with the desire of selecting a college that specializes in their field of interest. Encourage participation in job shadowing opportunities such as Take Your Daughter to Work Day. Encourage taking English and foreign language classes all four years of high school, as communication skills are the most important skills necessary for any vocation. When too young to find Summer employment, suggest volunteering at one of our local hospitals to get a better perspective of the health care field, or other non-profit organizations with volunteer programs.
Encourage taking personality/aptitude tests to help assess natural abilities and inclinations. While some people are more suited for academia, others for corporate structure, some people work best independently and as entrepreneurs. As we have witnessed in the last decade, no environment offers total security. We wonder how teenagers can type on-line, talk on the phone, and listen to a CD while "doing their homework," but today’s and tomorrow’s workforce needs to be multi-focused—able to juggle several tasks at once. Teenagers attending school, participating in sports, music, drama, etc, and having a part-time job helps prepare for the real world of supporting themselves.
These are all general suggestions to help our daughters find their way. But as a mom, the most valuable advice and support we can offer our daughters is to be her own person. I felt an additional parental responsibility when I recently read an article that stated many executives credit their leadership abilities and style to their moms—who encouraged self-improvement, hard work, and who taught their children accountability and how to overcome obstacles. The leaders credited their mothers for being confident enough to begin a major in college and switch halfway through; to begin a career, then decide to further their education or change careers completely; to open their own business, risk failure, then move on to something else.
We need to tell our daughters that they can "have it all"—qualified with "by the choices you make, it is possible to have all you want in life and feel a sense of satisfaction personally, professionally, spiritually, and emotionally."
This represents empowerment—principles the YWCA promotes: empowering women to make changes in their daily lives through economic empowerment, education and self awareness, social empowerment and providing basic material needs." It was appropriate the YWCA add a new awards category this year to a high schooler—the Young Woman’s Community Service Award. Recognizing young role models offers encouragement to young women at a particularly vulnerable time of their lives.
Sharon Farmer, former director of White House photography who spoke at this year’s YWCA Leader Luncheon, said it best, "When you voice your opinion, you’re a leader ... Woman, you are powerful!" TPW
I know my motherly role in today’s society is to support her in whatever career choice she may be interested. Fortunately, at this time, hers are all choices I can support enthusiastically, and I’m glad she’s asking me. I’m sure I can speak for many baby boomer moms who would like to reply, "Honey, I’m still trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up!" But being the mature mom, I’d like to help her make some initial decisions to ensure an easier journey.
While job security is not what it used to be, opportunities are endless for a motivated young woman. There are many role models our daughters can read about in The Peoria Woman. There is significance in the recognition women receive, such as the YWCA Leader Award winners featured in this issue. The biographies of the 40 Leaders Under Forty announced each Fall show the variety of careers chosen and accomplishments of those recognized. Careers along with colleges are available for all to research on the Internet, with the desire of selecting a college that specializes in their field of interest. Encourage participation in job shadowing opportunities such as Take Your Daughter to Work Day. Encourage taking English and foreign language classes all four years of high school, as communication skills are the most important skills necessary for any vocation. When too young to find Summer employment, suggest volunteering at one of our local hospitals to get a better perspective of the health care field, or other non-profit organizations with volunteer programs.
Encourage taking personality/aptitude tests to help assess natural abilities and inclinations. While some people are more suited for academia, others for corporate structure, some people work best independently and as entrepreneurs. As we have witnessed in the last decade, no environment offers total security. We wonder how teenagers can type on-line, talk on the phone, and listen to a CD while "doing their homework," but today’s and tomorrow’s workforce needs to be multi-focused—able to juggle several tasks at once. Teenagers attending school, participating in sports, music, drama, etc, and having a part-time job helps prepare for the real world of supporting themselves.
These are all general suggestions to help our daughters find their way. But as a mom, the most valuable advice and support we can offer our daughters is to be her own person. I felt an additional parental responsibility when I recently read an article that stated many executives credit their leadership abilities and style to their moms—who encouraged self-improvement, hard work, and who taught their children accountability and how to overcome obstacles. The leaders credited their mothers for being confident enough to begin a major in college and switch halfway through; to begin a career, then decide to further their education or change careers completely; to open their own business, risk failure, then move on to something else.
We need to tell our daughters that they can "have it all"—qualified with "by the choices you make, it is possible to have all you want in life and feel a sense of satisfaction personally, professionally, spiritually, and emotionally."
This represents empowerment—principles the YWCA promotes: empowering women to make changes in their daily lives through economic empowerment, education and self awareness, social empowerment and providing basic material needs." It was appropriate the YWCA add a new awards category this year to a high schooler—the Young Woman’s Community Service Award. Recognizing young role models offers encouragement to young women at a particularly vulnerable time of their lives.
Sharon Farmer, former director of White House photography who spoke at this year’s YWCA Leader Luncheon, said it best, "When you voice your opinion, you’re a leader ... Woman, you are powerful!" TPW