Wednesday
Balancing Act
Juggling a career and motherhood is a daunting task for the savviest of moms. Too often women hear they can’t have it all, and are forced to either pull their heels out of the soccer field or swap their paychecks for play-dates.
Mom Corps, a staffing company founded in 2005 by Allison O’Kelly, may help moms attain a more balanced life by helping them find professional and flexible jobs.
Over 5000 candidates are currently registered with Mom Corps, many of whom hold advanced degrees (75%), and have a well established work history (10-15 years). Managed by working moms, Mom Corps is headquartered in Atlanta and has offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Chicago, and most recently opened a location in Charlotte.
According to the U.S. Census 2004 American Community Survey, 22% of families in the Charlotte area have at least one parent at home. An affordable cost of living is bringing many newcomers to the area, and for many women an opportunity to decide whether they will stay home or go to work.
“Mom Corps is a great resource for newcomers and traveling spouses who after getting to know the area, and placing their kids in school, realize they’ve been out of the workforce and want to get connected with the professional life in Charlotte,” April B. Whitlock, regional vice president from Mom Corps Charlotte explained.
There are over 700 candidates currently signed up in Charlotte with Mom Corps, and an additional 15-20 signing up each week. “Our candidates are looking for flexible schedules in professional roles where they can keep their skills up,” Whitlock said.
There are hourly, contract, and permanent part-time positions available with Mom Corps, ranging in fields such as human resources, marketing, accounting, and finance.
“It’s a great model for all companies,” Whitlock added. “Non-profits, entrepreneurs, mid and small sized companies all need talent but can’t always afford it on a full-time basis.”
Admired companies such as Lending Tree and Frito Lay have signed on with Mom Corps, and the list continues to grow each week.
“It’s also a great model for maternity leave coverage,” Whitlock explained. “Instead of companies having to deal with the nightmare of who will cover the person, we can bring in her equivalent and keep projects going.”
Mom Corps is free to candidates, and performs all the necessary background and references checks for companies. Learn more by visiting their Web site.
