If you listen to most news, the pandemic has provided nothing but doom and gloom for women in America. While women's careers have been hit hard due to the economic shift to a remote workforce, some light has been shined down the dark tunnel. First, the pandemic has spotlighted issues longing to be addressed – pay disparity and equal opportunity. In almost every area of the country these past months, programs have begun to spring up to offer small steps of assistance. For example, New York enacted legislation requiring job postings to include salary ranges. Bank of America offers $10,000 Equity Match grants to women who want to start a small business. And the February Federal Jobs report indicated some very goods news: more than fifty percent of the new jobs created last month went to women!

While it's all excellent news, it doesn't change the reality. Women, on average, make less than men and haven't enjoyed as much professional support or economic growth that their male counterparts have – ever - IN ALL OF HISTORY. But we're getting some lifelines now, so let's take advantage! Here are some actions you can take to help position yourself for a better professional life, even if you aren't ready to make changes just yet.

Deloitte's Workforce Re-Entry Program is One of Several Created by Major Corporations to Assist Women Regaining Their Professional Footing

If you want to own a small business, reach out to your local Small Business Administration and check your local state and town websites for programs. Many states are actively working on offering assistance to women in transition. Speak with your local representative, ask what resources are available, and keep up with all the news and releases from your local government entities that will work to help get you started. In addition, ask if they have partnerships with banks like Bank of America, which have been increasing their participation in microloan programs and equity grants. In the current climate, a plethora of opportunities may be available to you.

Next, consider certificate programs or returning to school. In the old days, this was not always the best option. Educational costs were rising, the financial benefit of graduating typically was reserved only for top-tier school recipients, and the program structures were prohibitive to anyone with children, eldercare, or work obligations. Today, much of the educational elitism is gone. Not entirely, but somewhat. Many employers understand that a local or regional master's degree is smart financial decision-making. While the 1980s and 1990s saw a bubble of expensive MBA programs crop up for the elite crowd, the promise of higher pay didn't always pan out. But, an affordable program can do wonders for boosting your confidence, exhibiting your eagerness to reposition yourself, helping you build a portfolio, and generally gaining feedback from others to help you stretch your skillset beyond what you once thought possible. There are programs as short as a few weeks if just getting a few skills under your belt is all you require. Take a look and see what you find near you!

Finally, start practicing your interview skills and consider if a women's reentry program is right for you. These programs work like internships but for more experienced women who stepped out of the workforce for six months to one year, or more. Check out Deloitte's excellent Encore program here. If a consulting service such as Deloitte isn't your cup of tea, check our Audible's Returnship Program which serves women with five or more years experience, with a sixteen-week fulltime internship to explore your skills and fit. Even if you ultimately decide not to join a program such as this, reviewing their requirements, applying, and trying out a few interviews might be a great way to get your feet wet again. But, be easy on yourself! Remember, the first few interviews are usually a little awkward until you get the hang of it. But that's the point. To get used to being out there again. And not to sound repetitive, be sure to check with your local town governments which are likely to have partnerships with organizations addressing these issues given the current climate for women in the workforce. Gather all the support from all the sources you can find! Be on the lookout and get on newsletter distribution lists for all relevant organizations. The more you know, the more you'll feel part of a community that will smooth your transition.

Finally, check back to Murray's News in the coming months as we plan to host podcasts with women who are getting back to work to share how their experiences are going, offer insights into new career fields and highlight transitional skills we might overlook that span across industries.

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