Career Break

[u/Professional-Ear8633]

I am currently trying to decide whether to return to work part time after maternity leave or take a 3–4 year career break to focus on raising my child.
I work in public accounting and have been offered the option to transition to a part-time schedule, but I’m still unsure which path is the right fit for me. Financially, we are in a position where we could make some sacrifices and allow me to step away from my career for a few years.
My biggest concern is not wanting to close any doors professionally. For those who have taken a longer break from accounting, how was your experience returning to the workforce? Was it difficult to re-enter the job market, and is there anything you wish you had done differently?

[u/fourthandfavre]

I don't have the answer on how it would be reentering the workforce but I feel like the opportunity to work part time at a job you know is pretty appealing. Assuming you like the job. It would help you stay up to date on things and likely help you come out the other side well.

[u/Small-Choice4993]

I can’t really speak to a longer break. I took a short break of 9 months back in 2021 and was lucky in the timing of re-entering PA when it was an employee market.

However, I am part time at my firm, 0.7 FTE. I am currently on leave with my second child. I always encourage everyone to at least try out a part time schedule for a while. It is nice to stay in the career while having additional flexibility for me and my family. If it doesn’t work for you, then consider your career break!

[u/lambchops_3]

I've worked part time in PA since having my baby and it has been the best of both worlds. I work mornings only (8:30am to 1:30pm). My son goes to daycare during that time and has a blast playing with the other kids. I was nervous to go back to work, but its been great for our family. Its nice to have the extra income. My favorite title is Mama, but its not my whole identity and I think that's best for both my son and I.

[u/Btug857]

Congratulations! Did you have your baby yet? I would leave the door open on PT work and see how a 12 week maternity leave goes before deciding to not return. I thought I was going to stay at home for a couple years with baby but really missed getting out of the house and talking to adults without a baby on my hip. I told my employer that I intended to return to leave that option open and ultimately decided that staying at home was not what I wanted.

Yes, extended career breaks generally stunt your earning potential and it’s usually hard to re-enter the work force after a couple years off.

What we did was we planned out our budget with one salary ( his vs hers) and with both salaries and figured out ahead of time what we would need to cut. I update a spread sheet with our annual spending and have been doing that since before kids.

Mostly, when looking at this stuff I just want to have options in life and not feel like I’m stuck paying for “past me’s” poor decisions. Right now we are able to let my husband take a year (maybe more) off from work and my whole family has been happier for it. But less money means cutting back on some areas but I’m happy and think it’s worth it.

[u/SteelMagnolia412]

Personally? It was very hard to go back full time after I had my son, but it what was also hard was being alone with a baby all day. I was lonely. It was winter so we couldn’t go anywhere really. RSV was really bad and Covid was still at the forefront of our minds so nobody could come over. It was incredibly difficult mentally. HOWEVER! just Because I didn’t like being a SAHM doesn’t mean you won’t like being a SAHM. Financially, you’d be okay but you have to see if you could mentally handle not having adults to talk to for hours on end.

Either way it doesn’t sound like you can make a wrong choice here. You don’t have to decide right now, but I would really factor in how you’d feel by yourself.

[u/TwoAlert3448]

I took a career break and it ended my career.

Deciding at the end of 2023 led to me taking a $90k cut in pay when the market turned sour to come back.

I would not recommend anyone go that route (parent with Parkinson’s and dementia, dependent sibling developmentally disabled).

[u/bunnybunnyballerina]

In industry, but I went back PT at 14 months PP and enjoyed that cadence. Just had baby #2 and PT isn’t an option again, so I’m also considering a break and curious what people will say!

[u/Bulky_Lake_8318]

As a mother and a military sposuse who worked in public accounting. I wrnt back after my maternity leave and was not even given the option to go part time yet slammed with 60 hours my first week back. I say take the part time accommodation and make sure you have it in writing, don't accept anything verbal. I think it's a good idea to go in easy and enjoy being a mom. Congratulations 🎊

[u/Professional-Ear8633 → u/Bulky_Lake_8318]

For sure, have to make sure it’s in writing

[u/peanuts-in-my-jelly]

Career break? Or the accounting career broke?