Navigating Career Pauses for Caregiving

Morning breakout session I 10:10-11:00 AM

Navigating Career Pauses for Caregiving

This session explores how ambitious women in higher education can navigate career pauses, part-time work, and alternative work arrangements while balancing caregiving responsibilities. Through real-world case studies, participants will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities of career transitions and learn practical strategies for maintaining professional growth.

Attendees will explore approaches to structuring flexible career paths, positioning career gaps as opportunities for skill development, and communicating effectively with supervisors, colleagues, and hiring committees. Leaders will learn specific approaches to create supportive institutional cultures that retain talented women through career transitions, including best practices for flexible work arrangements, returnship programs, and leadership development pathways. The session will include interactive discussions and shared experiences to equip participants with actionable strategies for managing career transitions with confidence.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges caregivers face in higher education and the factors that lead many women to pause their careers.

• Discover practical approaches for navigating career pauses, structuring alternative work arrangements, and positioning career transitions as opportunities for growth.

• Learn effective strategies for discussing career gaps with supervisors, colleagues, and hiring committees to foster understanding and advocate for flexible career paths.

• Engage in forward-thinking discussions on the evolving nature of work, exploring innovative ways to support caregivers and create sustainable career trajectories.