Motherhood and Career Ambition Survey

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* 1. There is so much discussion about the fact that not enough women are at the top of companies and government. 9 Lives for Women is surveying mothers about their personal ambitions today and when they first finished their educations.

I've been working & focused on getting to the top of my career since I finished my education

I never expected to work all my life or put in the time necessary to reach the top of a profession

Getting to the top of an organization never has been and never will be important to me

I never had a very focused "career", I've always been happy moving in and out of the workforce with a series of low-stress "jobs"

As soon as I started a family, my professional ambition waned

I've never thought it was realistic for me to reach the top of a profession because men always get the top jobs

Other (please specify)

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* 2. Since you became a mother, what kind of work has become your ideal?

A traditional full-time position with all the requisite hours and commitment that will get me to and keep me at the top of my career.

A professional position that may more slowly advance my career via part-time or flexible hours

A part-time position that generates some income and work fulfillment, but is not necessarily the same level, income or challenge I once pursued

A business of my own

No professional, paid work at all

Other (please specify)

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* 3. If you have taken a hiatus from the paid workforce, what was the reason and what is the longest amount of time you were out? Please check all that apply to you.

I left to because I wanted to focus 100% on my children

I left because it was not possible to have flexibility I needed in my current job or anywhere else

I left to care for aging parents

I left to care for a sick relative

I was out of the workforce for extended period because I lost my job

My work hiatus was/has been two years or less

My work hiatus was/has been three to five years

My work hiatus was/has been six to 10 years

My work hiatus was/has been more than 10 years

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* 4. When you left the paid workforce, what were your plans to return?

I never intended to work again

I intended to return as soon as I found a new job

I planned to stay out for only a couple of years while I got home/family more settled

I thought I might return when my children were in middle school or high school

I thought work would possibly be a consideration when all my children were out of the house

Other (please specify)

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* 5. When you chose and attended colleges and, if applicable, graduate schools--what was your greatest objective?

To become a well-rounded, educated woman

To gain impressive educational credentials that would help me start and maintain a lifetime career

To get my degree(s) so that I could work for a few years before getting married and starting a family

To ensure that I would always have the foundation to support myself financially

Other (please specify)

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* 6. Which life "you never knows" have you experienced personally? Please check all that apply.

Personal job loss

Spouse’s job loss

Inconsistent income generated by household's major breadwinner

Disability of household’s breadwinner

Premature death of a spouse

Unexpected financial support for 1 to 4 parents who outlive their savings

Long-term financial support for children in low-paying or erratic jobs

Major illness in your immediate family and unreimbursed medical expenses

Divorce

Insufficient Social Security credits for benefits eligibility

Inadequate savings for a retirement that could last 30 years or more

None of the above

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* 7. If you have daughters, and they ask you for career advice related to work and family, which answer best matches your likely response?

I will encourage my daughter(s) to leave the workforce and care for their children until the youngest leaves for college.

I will encourage my daughter(s) to leave the workforce for a short time when their children are very young, but get back to work within a couple of years.

I will encourage my daughter(s) to always find some kind of work that fits their lives--some way to generate even a small paycheck--so that they always have the current skills and experience to support themselves.

I will encourage my daughters to strive for the top of their chosen career field and find a way to blend work and family.

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* 8. Do you currently have a job of any kind (other than caring for children or managing a household) that generates income?

Yes

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* 9. What is the highest level of education you have completed? In the "other" line please note schools you attended and degrees you received

High school

Junior college

College (4 year degree)

Graduate school

Other (please specify)

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* 10. What is your age demographic?

20s

30s

40s

50s

60+