Big companies seek former female employees

With the unemployment rate hovering near 8 percent, it is easy to get discouraged in terms of finding a job. Because of the responsibilities of parenthood, many mothers understandably hesitate to leave home to work. Yet, as more companies are hiring women, making this move may be easier than imagined. College scholarships for women that would put mothers in candidacy for these positions assist them in this endeavor.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported on how consulting firm McKinsey and Co. has begun to recruit former female employees. McKinsey managing director Dominic Barton commented on the loss of talent that occurs when young women leave the workforce to start families or for other pursuits.

"If you look at the numbers, we're not where we need to be, so we're losing on the talent side," he said in an interview with the Journal.

McKinsey isn't the only company encouraging the female demographic to return to work: Other large corporations, including Bain & Co. and Boston Consulting Group, have done so as well, reports the Journal. This trend reflects that between 2004 and 2014, women are predicted to make up 51 percent of the American labor force's net growth, according to the Department of Labor.

"The recession has caused families to feel like both parents need to be in the workplace and both parents need to be working full time," said Jennifer Sabatini Fraone, associate director of Boston College's Center for Work and Family, in an American Public Media Marketplace report.

Juggling home and work life, especially when taking classes, can be a challenge for career-driven mothers. Nonetheless, the result is worth the effort for many parents attending school or re-entering the workforce.

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