Balancing the demands of motherhood with a successful career can often feel overwhelming, but with the right approach to work-life integration, it doesn't have to be.
Work-life integration is about blending your work and personal life together, rather than trying to strictly keep them separate. It’s about creating a synergistic flow between both, so they support each other rather than compete with your time.
This concept was at the heart of a recent "Coffee & Convos" virtual discussion hosted by the WTS Central Florida Chapter. Amanda Woods, PE, senior vice president and director of transportation at DRMP, joined a panel of five other speakers to explore how motherhood impacts careers. Woods serves as the Director of Advancement for the WTS Central Florida Chapter.
The session, titled “Redefining the Impact of Motherhood on Careers,” attracted about 60 attendees, including DRMP Chief Operating Officer Mike Albano, PE, DRMP Roadway Project Manager Kim Sadowski, PE, DRMP Project Development & Environmental Services Division Leader Joce Pritchett, PE, and DRMP Noise Group Leader Robyn Hartz – all of whom understand the challenge of balancing parenthood with a career.
Abigail Donkor, WTS Central Florida Chapter Committee Member, kicked off the discussion by addressing the longstanding tension between motherhood and career advancement.
Historically, working mothers have faced biases with many seeing their career ambitions and parenting responsibilities as competing priorities. However, Donkor pointed out that today’s workplaces are beginning to value the skills gained through parenting, such as multitasking and crisis management.
With the rise of flexible work policies, remote opportunities, and increasing advocacy for structural change, Donkor noted that the dynamic between motherhood and career is shifting. The pandemic may have highlighted the struggles mothers face, but it also created the opportunity to find new ways to blend work and home life effectively.
The discussion highlighted a key point: the transportation industry is evolving, and with it, the understanding that working mothers need flexibility. It’s about finding a balance, being present for your family at home while still being an engaged and productive employee at work.
Flexibility is Key to Career and Family Success
Woods shared her personal journey navigating motherhood and her career over the past 28 years. She began her career at DRMP in 1997 when flexible schedules weren’t a common practice in the transportation industry. She was often the only woman in her group, and as a mother of two, she quickly realized the need for flexibility after the birth of her second daughter.
“Twenty-eight years ago, the industry was very different,” Woods said. “We didn’t have laptops to easily work from home, and there weren’t many women in my group. I was the only woman in my structures team.”
Woods said after the birth of her second daughter, who had health issues early on, she communicated the situation to her boss, and that’s when she started using a flexible schedule long before it became common in the A/E/C industry.
“You alone control your career,” Woods said. “Of course, there are caveats to that, where you work, who your supervisor is, what positions are available at that time. There’s lots of other variables, but truly, I do feel like you determine what you want to do in your career. If your job isn’t giving you what you want, it’s time to look elsewhere.”
Use Your Time
The panel encouraged attendees to take advantage of flexible schedules and find solutions that work for their unique circumstances. Whether it’s working remotely, adjusting hours, or simply ensuring quality time at home, the key is making it all work without guilt.
There are a few things employers can do to enhance parents’ ability to integrate their work and home life, one of which is encouraging employees to use their vacation time, Woods said.
“While we all get vacation days, many of us don’t take full advantage of them,” she said. “It’s important to remember to take those moments for ourselves, whether it’s an afternoon off to see a movie or spending quiet time at the park reading a book to recharge.”
In addition to taking time off, Woods stressed the value of mentoring as a powerful resource.
“Mentoring is increasingly common in companies, and I’ve seen this with WTS as well,” she said. “The opportunity to connect with someone, whether younger or older, who has experienced the challenges of balancing motherhood with a career is invaluable for sharing ideas and support.”
Albano, Woods's supervisor at DRMP, shared his perspective during the Q&A segment of the panel discussion.
“You all expressed your opinions openly and without fear," Albano remarked, praising the panelists. “A feared leader is not a leader. What you women are demonstrating is that things are changing. While the industry remains male-dominated, we're still questioning the status quo. I’ve always appreciated Amanda’s candidness. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, and that was incredibly valuable. It shaped my approach as a leader."
He also added, “When you create happiness at home, it carries over to the workplace.”
The conversation closed with a shared vision of what the future could look like for working mothers in the transportation industry and beyond. With flexible work policies, stronger support systems, and a shift in corporate culture, there is hope that more women will be able to integrate their careers and family lives without compromising either.
