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Additional Posts in Consulting
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FC1: maybe I haven't seen enough examples of women at the top. I remember when I was working on a project with a manager who was pregnant she was really concerned about: 1. People finding out and 2. Her career track. She wanted to switch to an internal role and was in the process of doing so.
Another example from a guy's perspective - both he and his wife were consultants, when his wife got pregnant she switched to an internal role (see a trend here?) and when the baby was a few months old he was on a project but had a very difficult time focusing on the work as he was guilt ridden for not being there with his family. Missing out on new the development of his new baby was heart wrenching for him. We worked on a project together and at some point he opened up to me in tears. Seeing the pain was a defining moment for me. We're employees but these are real life problems. Sorry this is not a post about which credit card I should choose for better perks.
It's tough and I think that organizations let alone consulting firms should do a better job addressing these issues. One of the reasons I left Deloitte was because I could not see myself, like the lady I mentioned, traveling while pregnant or let alone when having an infant at home. The ask is too big.
I know this is not for everybody. Some people can give birth and go back to work the next day.
Internal roles are a blessing if you can get them. I went internal for a number of years till my kids were slightly independent then I switched back to consulting.
Do you think it's possible for women to be successful (upward mobility) in the consulting world?
When I think about my experience at Deloitte I haven't seen many women passed a certain age and passed a certain rank. I think that consulting can be especially difficult for women.
I read a post on fishbowl the other day of a woman in her last trimester cheering for "almost maternity leave." To the women out there: can you seriously imagine being pregnant -- traveling and having the stressful lifestyle? This lifestyle seem to hold only up to a point which makes it very difficult to "lean in."
Less women than men want to do this lifestyle with kids. - a man who is going to GTFO of this industry the second my wife is pregnant
Women will succeed to the extent that they prioritize work over family in line with their male peers.
A good mentor /sponsor could also make difference
Totally agree with the statement that people are different at different times. I worked at Deloitte for 2 yrs and when I realized that this type work-life balance isn't going to work for me I decided to go back to industry.
I can't think of getting pregnant with the traveling, but my clock is ticking
I know a very successful female SM who has two kids. And I know several female partners. So it's possible, but I suspect that there will be penalties for anyone who takes full advantage of the family leave policy.
Everything is possible
@FC1 I'm sorry but isn't that a cliché? Everything is possible? Yes and no. You can be a consultant and travel nonstop until reality hits you in the face. Work-life balance constantly itches you as you see your friends and family having a life during the week while you're building yet another PowerPoint presentation. Not to mention having a normal relationship. It's all possible but is it really? It's easy to throw around but harder to actually live it day in and day out for a long period of time.
Ok , OP ...I'm a guy and I have seen some women that were able to balance and work-like and family ..successfully ...this with firm support and being on local projects. I agree with what you just said and also seem that in most cases , spouse had a much less demanding job which helped. I have 3 kids and couldn't do this work without my wife support.
And that's exactly the thing about leaning in -- women can go and become executives but how many do you actually see who climbed up the ladder of middle management and got a sit at the table? That's life. It's predicated on the choices we make and those choices are not as easy as people think.
Op , people priorities are different at different times. I have seen women taking a 6 month leave and gradually going back to work...and even got promoted the same year to SM and another example to partner, but again you need to have the right level of support from your firm , manger (partner) and your immediate family. Would that work for everyone...probably not , but I have seen examples where it worked. Are you working now ? And already had a baby ..or just thinking about it ?