Cork event aims to help women return to the workplace

A free day-long career workshop, designed to help women who are hoping to enter or return to the workforce after time out for various reasons, will take place in Cork on May 1.

It’s organised by WorkEqual, which was founded in 2011 by TV presenter, designer and social entrepreneur Sonya Lennon, to provide professional workplace styling and career consulting to women in the Dublin region.

Since then, it has evolved into a national organisation, providing services to women across Ireland, partnering with relevant networks, agencies and employers nationwide.

The May 1 event in the Metropole Hotel, from 9.30am to 2pm, is the third Cork event.

Members of its Cork Volunteer Network will be on hand and everybody attending will get a 1:1 chat with a career mentor/coach and benefit from a 1:1 styling session with a professional stylist.

The WorkEqual circular economy boutique will be providing wardrobe options so that everyone leaves the event with a new outfit ready for their next interview.

There will also be speakers and workshops on the day delivering content on confidence and pathways to return to work, as well as information stands.

Rose Servitova, who has worked in the healthcare industry for 20 years, attended a previous WorkEqual event in Cork and said it was a hugely positive experience.

She said she had been feeling ‘more and more lost’ in her work, but was still terrified to make a change.

“I found the event really uplifting and supportive. Women genuinely bring each other along and I felt really positive and full of optimism after,” she said.

She has since availed of coaching from Aisling Sanoh, from the WorkEqual volunteer network.

“When I first met her, I don’t think I even knew what I wanted or how to get there but I did know that something had to change in my life. I would describe myself at that point as confused, anxious, stuck, burnt-out and overwhelmed with fear of change and the burden of my responsibilities.

“Over the weeks and months after our meeting, the clouds shifted and I got clarity. Through our conversations, I learned about my real wants and “non-negotiables”. I was able to see all the places I expended my energy that didn’t serve me and I understood myself so much better. I could now make decisions from that more empowered place of clarity.”

As it happened, coaching showed Rose that the job she was in, was the job she really wanted.

“It turned out that something huge in my life, that I was running from, was actually perfect and was already everything I was looking for – I just needed different eyes.

“I was then able to bring more of what brought me joy, into my life, some of which has led to fun, paid opportunities. I also learned how to respect and manage my time and energy better, even if that means saying ‘no’ from time to time. Aisling has walked with me from a place of burn-out to a place of contentment and balance. I cannot thank her enough,” said Rose.

“Without the coaching I could very well have left a job that was the one for me, but instead I got to look at things with a bird’s eye view, and got balance and clarity.

“It gave me an appreciation for what I was already doing and it brought back a lot of work place confidence for me. I’d really recommend it,” she said.

Aisling said the event gives women four things – knowledge they are not alone, confidence and support to pursue their path, and hope knowing it’s possible.

“It can feel like it’s too late, like you’re stuck in a reactive cycle, but most women want to move past the fear, are fed up of feeling stuck and don’t want to live with regrets. Signing up to the event is the first step that can open up a world of opportunities, energy and momentum and makes eachsubsequent step so much easier,” she said.

Aisling got involved as she deeply believes that so many women have so much to offer to society.

“And by realising their potential and sharing their gifts, we all prosper. Equality is also very important to me. I feel outrage when I think of my grandmother, an accomplished nurse and midwife, who delivered babies the length and breadth of the west Clare coastline, who had to stop working due to the marriage bar in Ireland. A lot of her passion and purpose was extinguished that day and our communities lost out too.

“By volunteering with WorkEqual, I feel like I can honour her loss as I help others connect with their passions, skills and capabilities and share their gifts with the world.”

Su Duff is the CEO of WorkEqual and said the event is designed for women who have taken time out of their career to raise a family, care for others, or for women who didn’t previously have to work but now need to for various reasons.

“It’s also for women who may have had a career in another country but are struggling to get into their previous field here,” she said.

“We hear so often that women will only apply for a job if they are 100 or even 110% confident they can do all that’s required, whereas a men will typically apply if they can do 65-70%,” she said.

“That’s where WorkEqual comes in, to help build confidence and show the opportunities that are out there,” she said.

See workequal.ie.