The following blog post was written by Avanade alum Marsha Bacalis.

When I joined Avanade three years ago, I was expecting my first child. Though I was nervous about the impending life changes – anticipating the arrival of my son coupled with a new role at a dynamic company – I felt both exhilarated and empowered.  Avanade was an attractive employer with sharp people invested in their work, and the digital workplace would provide me the flexibility I needed, both personally and professionally.  I joined our Human Resources Technology team in an internal services role, and the hiring manager I interviewed with was a working mom herself; she was able to empathize, understand and appreciate my needs and concerns. All and all, Avanade seemed like a great fit!

Today, Avanade continues to be a great fit for my family and I. In my role, the flexible working environment allows me to balance my child’s daycare needs with the professional demands of my job.  My team is understanding and supportive of issues related to parenting, and with open communication we’re able to adjust as needed when my son is ill or I need to work a modified schedule.  Having colleagues empathetic to my personal situation has made my transition into a working mother so much easier.

Does it get challenging?  Definitely!  I have learned to be creative about my productivity, introducing efficiencies to help me balance my responsibilities.  I take calls when my son is asleep, and I answer email while we’re at the playground.  I have also learned to be honest and upfront with my colleagues about challenges I am facing – you would be surprised by how many people are willing to jump in and help out.

With that said, don’t let me fool you - being a working mom can be daunting!  There are days that feel like a series of non-stop uphill battles.  Still, I feel that being a working mom has empowered me.  I am stronger and more confident in my abilities, both at home and as a manager.  Most importantly, I know that I made the conscious decision to balance work and motherhood, which have turned out to be my two greatest achievements.