Are some jobs better “parent jobs” than others?
I ran across a Career Journal article titled The 10 Most Overpaid U.S. Jobs And the Little Effort They Require thinking it might be a tongue in cheek look at some jobs that might be good for someone making a career fit with their family needs.
However, it actually is a kind of cynical (but vaguely amusing) look at what the writer perceives to be easy money for little effort.
But, after I read it, it made me think, are there any types of jobs out there that are more suited than others to employees raising young families? Or, is it all about the schedule and not the work itself?
Not that all parents should have a job that requires “little effort”, but, I think there are some types of work that make the struggle for balance easier than others.
For example, I’m a nurse, and, people often assume that one can work whenever they please in my profession. However, it’s not always that way, especially when you work full time and need the benefits. But, there are some advantages when it comes to working and having kids such as being able to work 12 hour shifts three times a week.
What kind of work do you do, and, is there anything about your job that is particularly suited to having a career and kids?
Tags: Career and Kids, Career-Journal, jobs-for-parents, The-10-Most-Overpaid-U.S.-Jobs-And-the-Little-Effort-ThRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Career and Kids
2 opinions for Are some jobs better “parent jobs” than others?
Barry
Dec 13, 2007 at 10:32 am
I think if you are in a job where you don’t have to make substantive decisions each day - where you don’t have the opportunity to take those decisions home and either spend time thinking or worrying about what to do, or worrying whether you made the right choice, and how it will affect you - those are better jobs ideally for raising kids.
I think it’s all about distractions. When you’re able to leave your job at your job, come home and spend time with your kids that’s an advantage. Taking time away at home to finish paperwork, talk business on the phone, or take frequent trips away from home - you would have to make special effort to make up quality time with the kids. Those that can do it, the whole family benefits. Those that can’t, the kids suffer.
Jamie
Dec 29, 2007 at 6:52 pm
I work in publishing as an editor 32 hours a week. I work for a really small/specialized company that is family friendly, meaning my editor is a mom, too, and works totally from home. Since having my girls she’s been very flexible with me. So now I telecommute half my work week. I eventually would love to do freelance work totally from home (when my youngest starts kindergarten,) but for now I need to adult interaction. ;)
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