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Working Moms
RMama2012
member
Talk to me about traveling for work
RMama2012
member
in Working Moms
I was approached today about a possible opportunity to work on a very large project at my company. It?s a big deal in this part of the Financial Svcs world. The project would require a commitment to travel to different offices for 1 week of each month for 1 year. I am really excited especially because my career is and has been at a standstill for a while and I think this would be a really great experience. If it makes any difference, I am 29.
I should add that I have a hard time working full time for many different reasons. Part of it is feeling useless in my current role but the other is the time away from my baby (12m next week). This project would start when he is approx. 15 months. I have a great childcare situation : MIL who lives next door, as well as SIL right around the corner for emergencies (she?s SAHM), and of course DH is great but he works full time as well.
What do I need to consider here? Any advice?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Talk to me about traveling for work
I am in the consulting world and am lucky to be on a large in-town client and don't have to travel. DH works for the same company and he travels for his project for a week, once a month, like you would be doing.
Things I would consider:
Will taking on this project really get you to the next level (I've been burned by this in the past),
Will 1 week traveling, turn into 2 weeks, etc (this happens A LOT),
Can the caretakers take on the extra load for that week? (the week DH travels is A LOT of work for me...basically I'm a single parent that week: all pick ups and drop offs, all dinners cooking and cleaning, all household stuff, all bedtimes, etc),
Can you handle being away from LO for a week?
Do you want the traveling lifestyle (early morning/late night flights, airports, hotel living, longer nights at the office)?
I would go for it if I were you. I avoided travel during DS's first year because for the first few months he wasn't sleeping through the night and it would have been hard on DH on his own, and also because of the hassle of hauling a pump and milk around.
After a year, it was much easier. DS was sleeping through the nights, and DH just did daycare drop offs and pick ups, fed him, gave him a bath, and put him to bed each day. They eat a lot of Chipotle the days I'm out of town, but everyone is surviving just fine.
If it's going to boost your career and make you more excited about what you're doing, go,for it! It's just a year!
The others have already brought up great points. Here are my ?'s:
What happens when the year is up? Do you go back to a standard in-town work schedule or onto another project?
Is the traveling Sun-Fri or Mon-Thu? My D travels every week, but does not leave until Monday a.m. My firend's DH travels internationally and has a flight every Sunday mid-day to be at his destination in time to work first thing Monday a.m. This, to me, makes a huge difference.
What will the hours be in the weeks you are not traveling? In other words, is this an overall more stressful position that will take more of your time even when you are not traveling?
Do you think your DH can feasibly handle the additional workload of being the sole parent one week a month? I understand you have your MIL/SIL which is great, but DH will still have to handle all of the day-to-day stuff on his own, and getting your LO up in the morning, ready for bed at night, etc. on his own and is he okay with that?
If you are already having a hard time, being gone one week of the month is definitely harder, so you need to be prepared for that and know that you can deal with it.
It's hard to say specifically if this is a good idea for you. I would want to know some additional information.
Will you be travelling to the same location each trip, or to diffierent locations? How far away will you be travelling and what method of transportion will you be using? Will you always be travelling the same week during the month (i.e. the 2nd, or 4th), Is your DH on board and understand completely what he would be taking on in terms of work, childcare, household etc. (some roles and responsibilities may need to change a bit due to your travel)
I returned to work knowing that I would be on a project that required me to travel about the same amount as what you are describing for approximately a year as well. The travel started when DD was just shy of 10months. For me it was an acceptable situation because I am always travelling to the same supplier that is only around 4hr. from my home. Since I drive to get there it has worked out very well to bring DD and my Mom with me on most of the trips I make. I have only left her at home once since it was only going to be a quick overnight visit. Anything longer and I have taken her with me. This has allowed me to keep nursing, and allowed DH to keep his schedule and not efffect his job too much. This was important since many of my trips come up quickly, or are last minute.
Towards the end of this year when DD is 16-18 months I will need to spend a lot more time at the supplier as they finish up our project. I am not sure yet if I willcontinue to bring DD, or if I won't. A lot will depend on how she develops and grows over then next 6 months and we will do what seems best for her. Right now the best thing has been for her to travel with me.
OK to answer some of these ?s...
The travel will not include the weekends and I would travel to different locations. Most will be larger cities. Im in NY currently so airports are close, etc.
When I am in the office I will do work for this projecet as well as my current job. I will keep the same manager. I am sure this will change somewhat. When the project is done, I will still have my current job but obviously, I am hoping this leads to more. The experience will make me a go-to in my dept for sure.
DH is on board and believe it or not it will not be a huge amt of work for him. My MIL typically makes double dinner to account for DH and I. We live in a building and do laundry 1x a week which is sufficent. 4 loads in, 4 loads out. We have have a small apt and its not alot to do as far as upkeep. My MIL bathes lo most days as well. This reminds me to go get her a REALLY NICE mother's day gift!
It sounds like you are really excited about this so you need to decided what's right for you, but this line has me concerned. So you are taking on ADDITIONAL work? I assumed you would switch to the new project, but if you are taking on additional work and are already working full-time then I don't think it sounds so good.
I would think twice. I LOVE my job and I traveled 2 weeks per month for Mon-Thu, now I am in my third trimester with my first LO and I am dropping the traveling after he is here.
As much as I love it, traveling is not a perk at all! Staying in hotels and eating in restaurants all the time sucks, being away in important celebrations sucks even more and I guess when a baby is around that is even worse and worse.
I would do it if it was the ONLY way to get my career going, but I would look for alternatives. Every time I travel I am exhausted that weekend because of course you work longer hours and airport/flight times are exhausting too. So even if you travel from Mon-Fri, you have to know that you will probably be very tired and not enjoying the next weekend.