Can I have a family and a career at once?

Question

I am currently going to college to earn a degree in pyschology. after my BS eventually I would naturally go on to get my masters and PhD, that's the goal and that's the plan. but by that time I achieve that goal. (believe me I will). I would be probably at the age of 27 and I would like to start my family then.

The problem.... If I am to have a doctorate or even masters right out of graduate school, how can i start my family? I would not want to wait until after Im 30. but I would like to jump start my career as well, I do realize that it would take me a while to establish myself among those in the same profession.

I would like suggestions on career paths that I can research in my line of study that would permit me to have a family.

and I would like some first or second accounts of women who have "done it all"

Thanks

I wouldn't mind accounts from men but men don't carry babies for 9 months and go thru all the things career women do.

Answer 1

On overage women are paid less then men (by about 2 years in terms of career development)

On average women in western countries take off 2 years to look after young children.

You add it up yourself. But many women mix careers and work and most educated women work, and those without education also have to work.

The problem's occur at different stages in your career. For example lawyers and doctors work long hours when they start out, and often promotions and job opporunities require longer hours.

Psychology is pretty much 9 to 5 and as it is dominated by women have lots of flexibility for working mothers (early leaving, part-time etc)

Generally the best approach is to study, work, have the little ones, then go back and do more study then return to work (I have taught a lot of women doing further study before returning back to work after having children)

Answer 2

Work/life balance, hear your concern. I wouldn't think of career and family as mutually exclusive. If you are strong enough to plan your career, and it sounds like you have, you are in luck. Plan and be efficient. I think school is actually much easier to handle (when you are pregnant and/or have a child) since schedules are super-flex. Its sounds much harder than it is, I think. Women who do this are admired by people around them.