Women find flexible hours, good pay
Kathy Schumacher spends much of her time with her three young children, and yet adds significantly to the family’s bottom line.
As a board-certified music therapist in private practice near Oshkosh, she has an interesting job with significant responsibilities yet has a schedule that lets her be there for her children.
“Moms are definitely needed at home . . . with a primary focus on their kids’ developing brains and personalities,” says Schumacher. “That being said, when I can also be successful in a part-time career, I’m a more patient and confident mom.”
It’s not easy for moms to juggle family needs and a satisfying career, but parents like Schumacher have found that part-time hours are a great solution. If you’re wondering if it’s possible to find a job with both a part-time schedule as well as good pay, take a look at these women who have done it:
Music Therapy
Schumacher describes music therapy as the clinical use of music to target non-musical goals such as speech, cognition and motor skills, a melding of medical professional and musician.
She’s in private practice and can choose how many clients to take on. She’s arranged her schedule so she works outside the home only one day a week.
Being a music therapist feeds another part of Schumacher’s brain, she says. Her music therapy sessions have results that she can measure, which isn’t always the case with motherhood.
“I get to visibly and quantitatively improve the quality of people’s lives, which in turn improves my life,” she says.
“After that day of clinical work, I come home with a fresh perspective and am a better parent as a result,” she adds. “Being a stay-at-home mom can be very rewarding – but with many moments of intense frustration and self-doubting.”
Schumacher, who is vice president of the Wisconsin Chapter for Music Therapists, says that becoming a board-certified music therapist requires a four-year college degree plus a six-month internship. Advanced degrees may be required in the future. To find a college with an accredited program, check out www.musictherapy.org.
