I finished working on Friday! The last six and a half month went by so quickly. I had positive work experience with this programme, having a very nice colleagues. I worked hard but with almost zero stress, and this was perfect given my condition.
I had a feedback meeting with my supervisor, who now became a friend. She asked me about my thoughts on how to improve the management of the project and even her own strengths and weaknesses. We had a very frank discussion. She also gave me her evaluation on my performance, and she told me that she was very happy and I did well. I was so pleased to hear that I contributed well to the team, and she thought my management and technical skills were great. She encouraged me to pursue this area of work (prevention of violence against women and girls.) This is an emerging area in the gender based violence field where response (services to victims/clients) dominates for obvious reasons. However, with this scale of problem, prevention also becomes the key, as we learn more about why men commit violence.
As I enter a new phase of life, I need to think over my career. I am now going to take probably six months off. I have no idea how I feel about going back to work, whether I feel wanting to stay as much as possible with the child or eager to get back as soon as possible. Now, I need to balance work and family life, which I never had to think about before. Besides, it is not always easy to have the best choice work depending on how we prioritize my career or my partner's. I am OK to let M.FR's work to dictate where we live etc for now. Even though I came along with him to YGN, I feel that I got a great opportunity and most out of being there. In this sense, I made no compromise in the last year and a half with the two jobs that I held. I could probably keep taking consultancies for a while, but eventually I would like to have a more substantial position with more responsibility. I am considering taking a few online courses to enhance certain skills in coming months (if compatible with the baby..!)
Let's see! We go with the flow. We have enough things packed this year with the baby and the wedding. We are not quite sure re. what is happening with M.FR job after a month or so. We may be both taking a self funded parental leave (a.k.a. en chomage) until we figure out our next steps.
Now anxiously waiting to see when the little guy decides to come out and meet us.....
I had a feedback meeting with my supervisor, who now became a friend. She asked me about my thoughts on how to improve the management of the project and even her own strengths and weaknesses. We had a very frank discussion. She also gave me her evaluation on my performance, and she told me that she was very happy and I did well. I was so pleased to hear that I contributed well to the team, and she thought my management and technical skills were great. She encouraged me to pursue this area of work (prevention of violence against women and girls.) This is an emerging area in the gender based violence field where response (services to victims/clients) dominates for obvious reasons. However, with this scale of problem, prevention also becomes the key, as we learn more about why men commit violence.
As I enter a new phase of life, I need to think over my career. I am now going to take probably six months off. I have no idea how I feel about going back to work, whether I feel wanting to stay as much as possible with the child or eager to get back as soon as possible. Now, I need to balance work and family life, which I never had to think about before. Besides, it is not always easy to have the best choice work depending on how we prioritize my career or my partner's. I am OK to let M.FR's work to dictate where we live etc for now. Even though I came along with him to YGN, I feel that I got a great opportunity and most out of being there. In this sense, I made no compromise in the last year and a half with the two jobs that I held. I could probably keep taking consultancies for a while, but eventually I would like to have a more substantial position with more responsibility. I am considering taking a few online courses to enhance certain skills in coming months (if compatible with the baby..!)
Let's see! We go with the flow. We have enough things packed this year with the baby and the wedding. We are not quite sure re. what is happening with M.FR job after a month or so. We may be both taking a self funded parental leave (a.k.a. en chomage) until we figure out our next steps.
Now anxiously waiting to see when the little guy decides to come out and meet us.....