APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions and meets an inspirational CEO.
Here she gives a reader advice on how to teach her kids a work ethics after not putting her career first.
Q) I’ve always worked since I left school, but my job has never been a big priority – I’ve been in the same admin role for years and, as long as I’m bringing in money, I haven’t worried much about progressing. But I’m now starting to regret it.
My daughter will soon need to think about what career she wants to go into, and I’m worried I’ve not been the best role model, as she just doesn’t seem interested in her future.
I’d like her to get a weekend job to instil a good work ethic and I’ve done my best to encourage her to consider her career options, but she doesn’t recognise that I’m trying to stop her making the same mistakes I did. Please help!
Tracy, via email
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A) Stop focusing on what you haven’t done, and draw attention to what you have. You have put a roof over your daughter’s head, fed her and shown her the importance of providing for yourself and your family.
Teaching kids a work ethic and the value of money are some of the most important lessons we as parents can give.
While she’s studying, I think it makes sense for you to cover her living costs (bills, food and necessities), but anything over and above – like clothes or make-up – she should understand she needs to pay for, or at least contribute to.
As adults, we don’t get those things for free, so prepare her for the real world where luxuries need to be earned.
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At a young age, it’s difficult to know what you want to do, but getting a part-time job will help steer her towards a career or even make it clear what she doesn’t want, as well as giving her confidence and some financial independence.
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email [email protected].
A Day In The Life Of…
JANE Johnson, 49, is the founder and MD of online working mum support group, Careering Into Motherhood. She lives in Sheen, London, with her business owner husband Adrian, 52, and their son Felix, eight.
I wake up at…
6am. I check emails, review my diary and approve social media content. After a shower, I help Felix get ready. Then I have a coffee and walk the 15 minutes to school, and another 45 minutes with our dog Zee. I’m at my desk at home by 9.30am.
A normal day involves…
First, I check our Facebook group, which has 9,500 members – all working mums – then respond to member emails, often asking for help finding a career coach, returning to work after maternity leave or finding a new career.
We partner with 50 female coaches, providing free tools and advice over Facebook lives and smaller private sessions on Zoom. I help the coaches with their presentations and writing articles for our website. I recently recruited a Ukrainian lady, who’s helping me to get our processes and systems in place so we can grow the business. Right now, we’re looking for funding, so I’m talking with investors.
I’m also working with our web team to make the site easier for users to find the right coach for them. Afternoons often feature strategy and planning work, including generating ideas for our next ad campaign and, currently, a big piece of research on gender equality in the workplace.
At 4.30pm, I pick Felix up from school, then I help him with homework before dinner. After his bedtime at 8.30pm, I’m happy to get back online. Running my own business gives me the flexibility I need with a young family.
The best part of my job is…
Getting emails from members who have secured a job or found the support within our community a lifeline. That makes the stress of running a start-up worthwhile!
And the worst…
There’s always more to do, but I thrive under pressure.
I wind down by…
Watching TV and chatting with Adrian. I recently took up yoga, so I might squeeze in an online class before bed by 11pm.
- Visit Careeringintomotherhood.com and Facebook @careeringintomotherhood.
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