This week’s Career Confidential is a good one from our very own contributor, Claire Hardee (Not Another Suzy Homemaker aka NASH). Ok, I know you are probably wondering where her columns are, but she is in the process of moving, so stay tuned. Even I am excited to see what she has cookin’ up because Lord knows that I could learn a few tips/tricks in the kitchen.
While Claire definitely doesn’t have your typical 9-to-5 job, I wanted her to do a Career Confidential because she offers a completely different perspective. How many of you would even consider being a housewife in your 20s? Claire is living life on her terms, and doing what makes her happy (that is ultimately what matters).
Most of us struggle to keep work in-check, so we can have some semblance of a personal life suffers. However, Claire deals with the opposite; she is finding a place for work, while her focusing mostly on her personal life.
Full name?: Claire Hardee
Position / Job title?: House Manager at Hardee House (or, if you prefer: housewife)
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Funny story – I used to want to be a singer when I was really little – but really had no idea what my voice sounded like. Good thing I went to a friend’s karaoke birthday party, where part of the party favors were the recordings from the evening. That’s probably my earliest memory of a “reality check.”
After that, I got really into band (I played the clarinet). However, after several years of concert band, it really became a chore and the reality check of turning my mediocre music skills into a self-sustaining career hit me.
To sum it all up, when I was younger, I wanted to have a career in music and arts.
2. Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land (or create) your current position?
Well, “housewife” is probably pretty self-explanatory: I got married. Let me clarify, I got married to an amazing man who is also a Marine officer. I’m only recently “unemployed” because, as you can imagine, being in a military family requires certain lifestyle adjustments. But I previously worked in PR, and will continue to hone those skills.
3. Did you have to take on internships to get there? How important in general, do you think, are internships?
In the PR world, yes, I took on lots of internships.
They are essential because interning really does keep you in-the-know about the industry. BUT, be careful…I have a bone to pick with the industry about the ethics of hiring interns. Nowadays, “internship” is the new entry-level position in the PR/Advertising world. I would bet by the time that most communication majors graduate they’ve completed at least a couple of internships, but still can’t get a job, and have to start out as an intern again.
Too many employers are taking advantage of new talent, by getting their hopes up and paying them next to nothing for dedicated work, then wishing them luck on their job hunt. It can be a frustrating vicious circle.
Despite the lack of accountability many employers have in internship programs, we learn something important from every bit of experience. We’re better people for dealing with this shit!
4. Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important?
Work/life balance, to me, means being able to come home without letting work interfere with your free time. This is part of the reason I’m happy as a housewife right now.
5. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other career-minded women?
No one has it all figured out. Realizing this will free your mind and keep you moving forward.
6. On that note, do you think women can have it all? Both the baller career, and the happy family?
No…and that is to say you can, of course have both a career and a family, but not without one interfering with the other. A booming career will mean lots of work that takes away time from your family, and tending to your family may mean sacrificing some advancements in your career. That’s why it’s a balancing act. There is no right answer to achieving work/life balance either; it will look different for everyone.
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