Each month Maturn will be highlighting a current member of the Maturn community who is growing both their career and their family.
This month our highlighted member is: Laura Levenstein, Baltimore, MD
Company and Position:
I am an Activation Manager for a health and wellness company.
Age of your kids :
I have two girls, Clara, who is 5 ½ and Leah, who is almost 3.
How has Motherhood grown you as a leader?
Prior to having children, I was not very career driven or ambitious. I always knew I wanted to have children and had plans to either become a stay-at-home mom or a kindergarten teacher. Working in the corporate world was never something I had imagined for myself.
I took some time off when I had my first daughter and became restless after a few months. This was a surprising feeling because being a stay-at-home mom was always what I thought I wanted. I decided that it was important for me to lead by example and show my daughter that women are capable of being involved, supportive parents as well as driven and successful in their respective fields.
I went back to school for my Masters in Learning Design and Technology and began a new position at my current company. My daughter inspired me to grow personally and professionally.
What are some of the unique challenges you have faced in growing your career and your family or what you observe being challenges for other mothers doing the same?
One of the biggest recurring challenges I have in my career is my inner critic. Most of the individuals I work with have always had career ambitions, whereas my ambitions had been more inclined towards motherhood. I often feel inadequate or as though I am out of place in any corporate setting, regardless of my capabilities. Motherhood was something that came naturally to me, whereas being a corporate employee is still new and am I sometimes uncertain I am making the best decisions.
Do you have any advice, thoughts or quotes for other mothers who are growing their careers and their families?
The best, and perhaps most clichéd piece of advice I continue to give myself is “you belong here”. I have worked incredibly hard to reach this point in my career and want to continue in this journey, even though it is not something I ever envisioned for myself. I am so grateful to my children for continuing to motivate, inspire, and drive me to succeed in all facets of my life, both personally and professionally.
I would advise women who are in similar situations to me to know that you would not be in the position you are in if you did not earn it or deserve it. Regardless of where you thought you would end up, you are exactly where you are meant to be. Keep growing, learning, and showing your children that women are capable of being present, supportive mothers while still building successful careers.
Why did you join the Motherhood Leadership Coaching Program?
I joined the MLCP because it sounded like the perfect opportunity to connect with other mothers who are growing their careers while maintaining their family responsibilities. So far I have met incredible women and have been able to share experiences and thoughts in a totally judgement free zone, all while learning so much more about myself than I expected. Our meetings have become one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling parts of my week.
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