Working Moms Refuge | Single Moms

Family
Career
Art of Juggling
Single Moms
Dad's Voice
News
Health
Bookshelf
Recipes
Sports Mom

Archives
Contact Us

Discussion Lists
Wisdom of Mothers
Resources

Take Your Daughter to Work Day

by Kris Kornegay

Take Your Daughter to Work Day is the one day each year when the younger generation actually understand what their parents go and do all day.

Sure, I know that my mom goes to work and that she sits at her laptop most of the day and schedules appointments. But that's it. I couldn't tell you what it's like to be her, or what she really does all day. In my head I picture her sitting in a cubicle like Dilbert, typing away on her laptop. On Take Your Daughter to Work Day, I get to see exactly what she does: I get to see how she interacts with her coworkers, how she handles stressful deadlines, and how she navigates herself through the endless rows of cubicles without getting lost.

The programs used to be small, and selective to only a few companies. But it has grown to include almost every business and organization possible. Every fourth Thursday of April, thousands of kids follow their parent to work to discover what it is they do. I can tell you that I have been to several of these days, and every time I come home, I have to take in the whole day all over again. It always happens in such a rush and so fast that it's hard to comprehend all at once. I'd always thought of my mom as an administrative assistant, a basic secretary. But that's not what she is. My mom handles projects, company parties, events (like this one), presentations, appointments, letters, and so much more. I thought I had a busy day at school and that my teachers kept me busy with enough homework to last an eternity. But when compared to my mothers' day at work — it's nothing. I'm juggling three balls, she's juggling 10, each a different size and weight, while balancing on a ball too.

This day has also introduced me to many careers and the aspects of each. I don't just learn about what my mom does. I learn about how the company works, how the people work together to make it work, and what kind of satisfaction they get at the end of the day. The luckiest person is the one who gets to do what he or she loves and gets paid for it. I've had the chance to meet with some of the top women in their business, and that gives me the motivation to accomplish my goals. I want to be right up at the front pushing and shoving my way to the very top right along with the rest of the world. These events have taught me that determination and hard work can get you just about anywhere.

Technology is becoming a big part of our society today. My mom now works at Intel and so I see directly how this affects me. I have learned that in order to succeed, I'm going to need many computer skills, no matter what career I choose. It's amazing to me how our lives have become run by technology. I have also learned what kind of attire is appropriate in the work place. What you wear is dependent on where you work and the kind of environment it is. Community service also seems to be a big part of companies. Every Take Your Kid to Work Day that I have gone to has involved some kind of community service. We have always done a service project and they teach us how to work together in a team to solve a problem.

All in I all, I learn something new and informative every year. I get to see what my mom does and I get to explore careers. I get to understand what is needed to make it in the job market, the training, and the necessary people skills. Give us the opportunity to explore. I'm to the point now where I'm deciding on colleges and careers. Without being able to explore some jobs and work places, I'd have no idea what I want to do. I've at least gotten to narrow my options down some. If you haven't taken your child to one of these programs, do it. We really would like to know where it is that you disappear to all day.