27F, new mom soon, feeling lost about my career. Where would you start?
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for some career advice because I feel a bit lost about what direction to take next.
I'm 27 years old and currently pregnant with my first baby, who is due in September. I'll be on maternity leave until February 2027, and I'd like to use this time not only to focus on my baby and adjust to this new chapter of life, but also to start planning my career.
A bit about my background:
• I have a Bachelor's degree in Multimedia.
• I worked as a graphic designer (mostly creating content for social media) for about six months, followed by another six months as a freelancer.
• After that, I had the opportunity to take over a business in another field I also enjoy: tutoring and after-school activities for children. I managed that business for about two and a half years.
This month I decided to leave that business behind. As a business owner, it required a huge amount of time and flexibility, and everything revolved around the school calendar. I realized it's not compatible with the kind of family life I want once my baby is here. On top of that, it had become mentally exhausting, and financially it was no longer worth the amount of work and stress involved.
Once my maternity leave ends, I'd like to go back to work, but ideally in a fully remote role or a part-time hybrid/on-site position. My priority is to spend as much time as possible with my child and avoid having them in daycare full-time. I'm fortunate to have family members who can help with childcare when needed, which gives me some flexibility.
The problem is... I honestly don't know what career path to pursue.
I'm worried that AI is reducing opportunities in graphic design, and I'm afraid of investing my time in a field that may become increasingly difficult to build a career in.
The good news is that I'm very open-minded. I'm happy to learn new skills, retrain, earn certifications, or even switch careers entirely if it leads to stable opportunities and a better work-life balance.
I'm not expecting a high salary right away. My husband has a stable job, but I'd like to contribute financially to our household once my maternity leave is over.
So I'd really appreciate your advice:
• If you were in my position, what career paths would you consider?
• What skills do you think are worth learning in today's job market?
• Are there any remote-friendly or flexible careers that you think have good long-term prospects?
• Has anyone here made a career change after having children? What worked for you?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I really appreciate any advice or personal experiences you can share.
Posted Jul 8, 2026, 12:07 PM UTC