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The Risks of a Temporary Career Exit by Elizabeth Martinez
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The Risks of a Temporary Career Exit |
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Business,Career
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While it's common for men and women take temporary leaves of absence during their legal careers, the reasons for doing so are quite different. Men, generally speaking, will take a leave of absence to further their educations, such as pursuing an MBA, or to participate in other career building activities so that when they do return to the workforce, they're able to do so in a higher position. Women, on the other hand, typically will take leaves of absences for familial reasons - such as the birth of a child or to care for an elderly parent. When they attempt to return to the workforce, they often must accept positions that are lower paying than the ones they left. In fact, 25% of women who leave their jobs can not successfully renegotiate positions or salaries of their previous posts. But it doesn't have to be that way. If a woman leaves her career with plans of reentering the workforce after her children are a bit older or for any other reason, there are things she can do that will better her odds of doing so without losing the ground she'd made before leaving. Economist and author Sylvia Ann Hewlett says there is a way to make it happen. First, many women consider taking on part time work in her field of expertise so that she can stay current on changes in her chosen field as well as technological advances. There is also a greater chance of staying connected to those who can aid her as she progresses toward returning in a full time position. A. Harrison Barnes, a well respected attorney, agrees. He says keeping those connections are crucial for both men and women who are taking a leave of absence for any reason. This was part of the reason he founded LawCrossing.com, a unique career board designed just for those in the legal field. Another tip Hewlett offers women is to volunteer in those areas she specializes in. Many women lawyers like the challenges of family law. By volunteering a few hours a week at a women's center or shelter, she's able to gain a different perspective of what her clients' needs are. She's far better prepared to do her job in the role of an attorney, especially with the emotional aspects that are a part of family law. It's also an excellent way to network with other lawyers. Finally, many women consider freelancing their talents for a few years. This allows complete control over how many hours she makes herself available in any given week. Law firms are quickly recognizing the benefits of hiring lawyers on a freelance basis. Many provide office space for their freelancing lawyers while others, provided confidentiality issues are properly handled, allow work to be done off site. Regardless of the reasons women temporarily leave their legal careers, nearly 83% do so with the intent of returning to a full time law career. While more employers are beginning to appreciate the benefits of flex time and the importance of keeping talent, even if they must sacrifice a bit of time in the process, it's still a slow dance and unfortunately, the women who make these difficult decisions are not leading that dance. Sites such as LawCrossing.com are an excellent place to search for l legal jobs across the country. Founded by A. Harrison Barnes, a lawyer and career coach, it's an endless source of all things related to law careers.
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