After running into three co-workers last week from three different jobs I have had, I couldn’t help but wonder if Corporate America was trying to tell me something. It also made me think about what I used to do before I played with blocks and organized play dates.
For as long as I can remember I have loved everything that about advertising, marketing and promotion.
I love the science behind branding, audience development, public relations, event planning, direct marketing, product placement and all that goes into selling a product or service. There is nothing random when it comes to marketing and to me, that’s the beauty of it. Good advertising is very calculated and well thought out. It’s clever and sneaky and stays with you and if it’s really good, wills you to pull out your wallet.
I am a pop culture junkie and growing up, I memorized jingles and slogans and covered the walls of my bedroom with advertisements I liked that I’d tear out of magazines. Some of my all time favorite campaigns are for Absolut Vodka, Coca Cola, Nike, Got Milk? Gap and Target.
I still subscribe to too many magazines and in some cases (don’t tell my husband) it is solely for the advertisements.
I was lucky enough to work in marketing for almost 12 years. I have been on the client side and worked on the fast-paced agency. For the record, the client side is WAY better. It’s nice to call the shots.
I have developed marketing campaigns to sell everything from cell phone plans and cable service to books about birds and webinars on outsourcing. I miss it a lot… working 50+ hours a week and tapping into that side of my brain and I’m not going to lie, there have been many days since becoming a mother that I have wished I was sitting in a three hour meeting discussing the launch of a new product instead of changing a diaper or chasing after a toddler.
Maybe I’ll go back… someday.
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Maybe you will go back to it someday…but it sounds like you should go back to it someday.
I miss working some days, too. Just the adult interaction and using my brain. Feeling like I have value and worth! I hate to say it, but since our kids are so young, being a mommy feels like a thankless job…a lot!
I feel exactly the same as Nathalie. I'd like more recognition : ) Being a SAHM isn't an easy job at all. However I'm happy to be able to see my daughters grow up. Maybe a part time job would be the solution…
OK, stupid Google deleted my last comment….
I love that you worked in a field that you loved! You obviously still have a passion for it and a knack for understanding the whole business. I would bet that someday you can work into something that works with you "new" life and challenge that other part of your brain. You know, that non-diapering part!
There are probably lots of small businesses out there that just want a little help with campaigns, FB pages, etc….
Oh, and I love magazines, too….
Heh. I am in marketing, too, actually. I kind of just fell into it.
I totally understand where you're coming from, at least in a hypothetical sense. When I have stayed home? It's been for a day or 2 because of something that has come up (or a scheduled Mommy-Boo day) and it is rough.
I have come to the conclusion that it's not something I would be adept at full-time. It is better that I work, really. Staying at home full-time? Would be rough. It's way more work than people realize, I think.
I have to say I am not thinking about going back to paid work outside of the home yet…not that raising a kid is so fun and glamorous but work is work (insert whiny voice).
As someone desperate to cut back her hours, I have a hard time relating. I work for one of the most "women friendly" places there is and it's still just a lot of PR. It sounds good in theory but in practice…as soon as you have a child, it's hard to still be considered part of the game. And I don't want to be playing if I'm not considered part of it.
Although work does allow me unfettered computer access. Which I love.