If you work from home as a mom, you know childcare, homeschooling, and often imbalanced daily efforts in the household can play an integral part in your remote work success (or burnout). Up against these challenges, some are waiting for the pandemic to end and anticipating trying to return to work as they know it. But there are also a ton of moms out there motivated to use this time to find their best second careers-new roles that make sense for them, their families, and their future.

Before the pandemic-and in the midst of it, too-moms have thrived in careers in tech. Despite the past year’s evolving market, jobs in tech such as Software Engineer and Full Stack Engineer continue to be among the jobs with the most demand overall. With the support and benefits of jobs in tech, moms in our network feel empowered to progress in their careers and utilize the resources their organizations offer to be successful at work and at home-even when both are done under the same roof. But how, exactly, do jobs in tech make the best second careers now and in the future?

Let’s take a dive into how jobs in tech make the best second careers and what steps you can take to start your new career path.

While some professional roles are staying home in the short-term, many software engineers can make working remotely a long-term reality.

Why the best second careers for moms are in tech

We understand career and lifestyle needs differ a bit from person to person, but generally, there are meaningful benefits found in jobs in tech that make them the best second careers for many. Here are a few common benefits:

Why the best second careers for moms are in tech

We understand career and lifestyle needs differ a bit from person to person, but generally, there are meaningful benefits found in jobs in tech that make them the best second careers for many. Here are a few common benefits:

1. Flexible work hours

Most software developer jobs are 40 hours a week, and often offer alternative working schedules and work life balance. Jobs in tech commonly have core hours that everyone must be available during the work week or day-but with the flexibility to start earlier or later in the day based on your needs.

2. Results-oriented vs face time-focused

In job roles where you’re programming, you get to collaborate with a team, communicate issues and ideas, and also work independently to achieve results. The emphasis is on the work at hand (creative problem-solving as a team!) rather than on meetings that should’ve been emails. You’ll probably join regular standup meetings to collaborate across teams, but with a predictable schedule and task-list.

3. Remote work options

Much of the work of software developers can be done remotely, and agile teams collaborate virtually. According to a recent survey, 85% of software and IT professionals were confident they could work from home effectively. While some professional roles are staying home in the short-term, many software engineers can make working remotely a long-term reality.

4. Generally low stress levels

Jobs in tech like web developer offer a rewarding new career path with great opportunities for advancements and salary growth. The work environment and complexities of the job’s responsibilities lend itself to a manageable stress level. Expectations and timelines vary company to company. If a developer finds a job isn’t right for them, there is an increasing number of available jobs that also offer high-paying salaries.

5. Community support to disrupt the tech status quo

There is a vibrant community of women – and moms! – in tech. With regular meetups, discussion boards, and events, there are phenomenal resources and support available to take your place in the industry. You can access free tools and great support systems to learn, collaborate, and grow in your career for years to come.

Best practices for starting a new career path

Surely, putting in time and effort to explore jobs in tech is a solid move for moms to start their best second careers. But what are the best ways to manage the process-and ensure your new career path is set up for success?

Take inventory of your skills

When you start a second career, you make sure you bring your past work experiences to the table. The best second careers can build upon the relevant skills and strengths you’ve accumulated over the years. Explore opportunities where your skills will be valued, identify your skill gaps, and make a plan to fill them. There are free learning resources available where you can see if tech is right for you. Once you’re ready to take the next step, full-time and part-time coding courses like Momentum give you comprehensive training online to start your new career path in tech.

Don’t apologize for your career break. Own it. Respect it. If you don’t, nobody else will.

Own your career story

Knowing how to talk about your experience and your career break can go a long way in starting a new career path. For example, what did you do while out of the paid workforce that used your skills or helped you develop new ones? Don’t apologize for your career break. Own it. Respect it. If you don’t, nobody else will. By presenting your career story as a logical, well-thought-out decision, employers will see you as an asset to the team.

Make the most of your network

Moms do a phenomenal job of tapping their network for resources, questions, and options. Now is the time to leverage that network for finding the best second careers. Join a community like Back to Business or connect with a mom’s group on social platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Give generously to your own network, but also don’t be afraid to ask for generosity from your network, also.

Consider a stepping-stone job

You’re on the path to finding the best second careers that work for you. On the way, the more experience you have, the more you’ll feel comfortable with new skills and clear on what jobs in tech you’re interested in. Don’t hold out for perfection in the beginning.