A balancing act

Striking a balance between family and career can be fulfilling. It makes us better parents, better coworkers, and better members of the community. But is work-life balance attainable?

Ayo Abu CPA, CGA, Accountant at D.F. Boiler Tube Industries, believes it is if you align your professional goals with your personal circumstances.

When her family first arrived in Canada in 2016, Ayo’s three daughters were 10 months old, three, and seven respectively. She decided to work part-time in order to spend more time with them while also pursuing her accounting designation. “When I started attending interviews, I pleasantly discovered that employers in Canada were quite flexible and supportive, especially of women with young families.”

For Ayo, balance is about having the flexibility to spend quality time with her family while also delivering her best at work. “My quality time is wrapped up in my family’s quality time. Everyone wants something different. My youngest daughter loves music, travelling, and going to the park; my middle daughter loves outdoor sports; my oldest loves art; and my husband enjoys soccer. When I accompany them on these activities, I feel balanced.”

Ayo says effective time management and structure are also important in achieving balance. Her alarm goes off at 5:30am. Between 5:30 and 6:30am, she packs lunches. Her husband assists her in getting the children ready by 7:00am, and they leave the house by 7:45am.

From a career perspective, Ayo believes setting clear career goals and seeking out the support to reach those goals can help professionals achieve balance. “Once I became a CPA and began networking and engaging in the community, doors began to open for me. My mentor—Janet Schalm CPA, CGA—helped me stay focused, accountable, and use my strengths to my advantage.

“I also had my resume reviewed by CPA Alberta’s Career Services team, and as a result, I was short-listed for an interview. The experience was enlightening,” she adds.

Pursuing a successful career in a new country while raising a family can seem like a balancing act. To minimize the chances of dropping the ball, Ayo offers a few tips to internationally trained professionals: “Request you transcripts from your home country as soon as possible to avoid delays in your progress. If you have children, inform your supervisor about your childcare needs in a timely manner. By communicating clearly, you will get the support you need to succeed.”