I'm a single mum to 3year old twins and since they were born & spent weeks in neonatal it was a full time job doing it alone. Before becoming a mum I had a good career in my chosen career path and worked 8 years for a respectable company. After maternity leave,(10mths) I felt I had to return back to work part time...the job I left was not the job I returned back to and I feel 8 years spent as a hard working full time female has now set me back 7years through having my children! Even though I'm frustrated and taken a knock back in my companies new 'management organisational re-shuffle'..it has inspired me to succeed further in my career for the sake of my children! Maybe I should break away from my current job and apply for other work but why jeopardise the flexible working pattern I currently have. Instead I've approached my HR department to inform them that I'm returning back to University to gain a 2nd degree in a part time course and if they can help me financially by increasing my hours to cover an extra days child care for two this for me would be much appreciated in order to allow me to study at Uni 1 day a week and not incur further financial debts! The only benefits I receive are working tax credit and child benefit for two children in nursery 4 days a week. My nursery fees are way above the fresh hold WTC pay so I top up the rest through my own salary, I pay my own rent, I pay council tax I don't scrounge of the state! I'm inspired to do it alone by women like Karen Brady..business women in sport..women can work in a male dominated environment! Give me 2 years and I will be following a my new career path, full time and in a career I want to succeed in..qutoas or no quotas I want to aspire to retire being a woman on board! I blame it on my father taking me as a 12 year old to lunch at the Oxford and Cambridge Club. I must wear a skirt, I was only allowed to sit in the open lounge where women were permitted. When I asked my father why? I think that day I began to understand..that is the olde English way and I am part of the new!
Watching the program tonight has inspired me even more...thanks! x
OU on the BBC: Hilary Devey's Women at the Top
In this new two-part series, Dragons' Den entrepreneur Hilary Devey explores why...
In this new two-part series, Dragons' Den entrepreneur Hilary Devey explores why too few women are appointed to the highest positions in the business world
- Duration: 5 mins
- Published on: Wednesday 16th May 2012
- Introductory Level
- Posted under: TV, Managing, Human Resources, Social Policy, Sociology
Hilary Devey in a clip from the series
Hilary Devey is one of a rare breed – a successful female entrepreneur who has built her own international business empire from scratch.
Even though more than half of Britain’s graduates are women, and nearly half our workers are women, the vast majority of top jobs are held by men. In this brand new series, Hilary wants to find out why.
On our pages dedicated to the series, you can:
- Play our Boardroom Lottery challenge which tells you what your chances of reaching the top of the career ladder are based on factors such as your gender, ethnic group, age and more
- Share your views on the issues raised in the series via our dedicated Discussion Hub
- Watch exclusive behind-the-scenes video clips from the experts taking part in the series, including Hilary herself
- If you're interested in the issues brought up by the series, find out how you can further your learning with The Open University via this introductory course to the social sciences. Or first try a free course such as The social in social science
Hilary Devey's Women At The Top will be shown on BBC Two and BBC HD at 9.00pm on Thursday 13th September 2012. For further broadcast details and to watch online where available, please visit bbc.co.uk.
Dedicated content
Boardroom Lottery
Featuring: 
What are your chances of reaching the top of the career ladder based on your gender, age, ethnic group and more? Play our Boardroom Lottery... Launch now: Boardroom Lottery
Hilary Devey's Women at the Top - Discussion Hub
How does someone's gender affect their chances of reaching the top of their career ladder? Vote in our poll and share your comments here Read more : Hilary Devey's Women at the Top - Discussion Hub
Hilary Devey's Women at the Top - Videos
Featuring:
Watch exclusive behind-the-scenes video clips from the experts taking part in Hilary Devey's Women at the Top series, including Hilary herself Watch now: Hilary Devey's Women at the Top - Videos
Entrepreneurial Lives
Featuring:
We hear much about eureka moments that launched exciting new businesses. But what happens after taking that bold step to become your own boss? Juggling... Listen now: Entrepreneurial Lives
The British Psychological Society podcasts
Listen to interviews with a wide range of academics and practitioners on the progress being made by boards in increasing female representation by 2015 Read more : The British Psychological Society podcasts
Episode guide
OU on the BBC: Hilary Devey's Women at the Top - Episode 1
In the first episode of Hilary Devey's Women at the Top, Hilary embarks on a mission to find out what Britain’s business world is missing... Read more : OU on the BBC: Hilary Devey's Women at the Top - Episode 1
OU on the BBC: Hilary Devey's Women at the Top - Episode 2
In the second episode of this series, Hilary travels to Europe to investigate solutions to help more women climb the career ladder Read more : OU on the BBC: Hilary Devey's Women at the Top - Episode 2
...then find out how to get a qualification
Introducing the social sciences
An ideal introduction to the disciplines that make up the social sciences - psychology, social policy, criminology, geography, environment, politics, international studies, economics and sociology.After... Visit prospectus for Introducing the social sciences
The uses of social science
What can social science tell us about the social world? How can it help us solve the troubles and dilemmas of private and public life?This... Visit prospectus for The uses of social science
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