A Fresh Start

When I became a mummy, my career took a back seat and my priorities changed somewhat. When I returned to work after a year's maternity leave, I reduced my hours to part-time. My employer has been flexible to accommodate nursery and now school drop-offs and pick-ups. However, things have been super stressful outside of work in the last 4 years (dealing with the breakdown of my marriage, divorce proceedings, house move, Crohn's flare up...) and my motivation to advance in my career has been low and most certainly not my priority.
Life is now a bit more settled. Progress is being made with the divorce (slowly, but we're moving in the right direction) and I've now been in my new house for a year. My career has come to the forefront again. I started to question what I want to do with my life. Where did I see myself in 5 years time? And being brutally honest with myself, I didn't see myself staying where I was. I had become comfortable in my role and have been bored for a while. My boss even said (not just to me, but to the team) that you should stay with an employer for 4 years, learn as much as you can, and then change jobs. At this point I had been with the firm for 5 years. Cue alarm bells...
I had considered moving fields; desperate for a change and a new challenge. But I studied for 8 years, gaining a first class degree and a PhD, and I don't feel like I can throw that away. Not just yet anyway. So I started the search for a new employer, in the same field: science. Time for a fresh start.
It's been daunting. I've been with my current employer for 7 years, and it was my first proper job after my PhD. I have had to attend formal interviews and give presentations (eek!). I had to sell myself, which I don't think I'm terribly good at...
Anyway, the amazing news is that I've signed a contract for a job and I will start work with my new employer in January. It's part-time and they're being equally flexible about my hours which is perfect.
I'm really excited and I think I've found my work mojo again!
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