Today, we're having a laid-back conversation with Jane Johnson, the visionary behind Careering into Motherhood. Let's dig into her journey and gather some insightful advice.
Meggie: Hey there, Jane! Thanks for joining us today. So great to meet you! Now, if you had to sum yourself up in just one sentence (apart from being a total legend, of course), how would you do it?
Jane: Hmm, let's see. I'm all about a vision where all women have the same career opportunities as men.
Meggie: I love that vision, Jane! Alright, next question: What's your job title, and how did you end up where you are today?
Jane: Well, Meggie, I'm the founder of Careering into Motherhood. I spent two decades in the City advising senior leaders on marketing & communications strategy. My journey led me to realize the challenges women face after having children, which inspired me to start Careering into Motherhood.
“I’m all about a vision where all women have the same career opportunities as men.”
Meggie: That's quite the journey, Jane! Now, let's dive into a relatable experience many of us encounter in our careers. Can you share a specific instance where you faced imposter syndrome, especially during your maternity leave, and walk us through how you managed this challenging situation?
Jane: Absolutely! I vividly remember a challenging moment during my maternity leave. My boss informed me that my job couldn't be done flexibly, leaving me with a difficult choice. It was either return full-time to the office, which was on the other side of London, or the company would consider it a resignation. With a six-month-old baby and various challenges, I wasn't ready to leave him Monday to Friday. My dad played a crucial role in encouraging me not to rush into a decision. He reminded me that my career was a part of who I was, just like being a mother. After contemplating it, I decided to sleep on it and call my boss the next day.
At the 11th hour, a new job opportunity in the same department, at the same level, and as a job share arose. I'm forever grateful to the manager who gave us a chance to prove it could work. I returned to work with renewed confidence and later left the company to start my own business, Feel, a recruitment company focusing on flexible PR, Communications, and Marketing jobs. I also created a website and Facebook Group to help working moms find flexible job opportunities. This has turned into a community of nearly 1,000 working moms, giving me hope that things are changing for the better.
[Read more about how Jane faced imposter syndrome during maternity leave but persevered, returning to work and establishing her own business.]
“I believe in tackling gender inequality by connecting our community with free advice and coaching.”
Meggie: Thanks for sharing that, Jane. It's something many can relate to. Can you share your approach to addressing gender inequality and empowering women in their careers through your organization, Careering into Motherhood? What inspired you to take action and create opportunities for women, and how has this initiative evolved over time?
Jane: I believe in tackling gender inequality by connecting our community with free advice and coaching. This personal story defines who I am today, and I'm sharing it because it likely resonates with many others. I've written letters and engaged in meetings with government officials to address the challenges faced by women who leave their careers, especially when they step off the career ladder for family reasons.
In the Facebook Group I manage, there are thousands of women with valuable insights and ideas, needing understanding during certain life phases. However, I grew tired of waiting for employers to initiate dialogues or for the media to stop stereotyping working mothers and career women. I decided it was time to take action and create opportunities ourselves. So, Careering into Motherhood is collaborating with dedicated female coaches to support working moms in their careers.
We're providing a central hub for quality content, and free access to specialized coaches, podcasts, blogs, live events, Q&A sessions, and downloadable tools. For those who desire one-on-one coaching, we've thoroughly vetted and verified our coaches, making it easier for women to access the support they need.
Meggie: Before we wrap up, Jane, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for taking the time to share your inspiring journey and insights with us today. It's been an honor to have this conversation with you.
One of my biggest takeaways from our chat with Jane is her unwavering commitment to bridging the gender gap in the workplace and creating opportunities for women. Her personal story of overcoming challenges and her dedication to supporting working moms are truly inspiring. Jane's vision of equal career opportunities for all is a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and empowering future.
Jane Johnson's journey is a testament to the importance of empowering women in the workplace. To learn more about her work, follow her on Instagram '@careeringintomotherhood' and visit her website.
“I grew tired of waiting for employers to initiate dialogues or for the media to stop stereotyping working mothers and career women. I decided it was time to take action and create opportunities ourselves.”