Jessica Cuevas’ Career Journey
Jessica Cuevas, a devoted college counselor at a high school, made a significant career shift after welcoming her first child in January 2021. She transitioned to a remote corporate role at a grocery store chain to gain flexibility and eliminate commuting time. However, following the birth of her second son two years later, she decided to resign from this position as well.
Struggling to find affordable and reliable child care as her parents spent more time in Mexico, Jessica, who is 35 and resides in Chicago, currently works part-time from home for an education nonprofit. Despite the sporadic work and inconsistent pay, she aspires to secure a full-time job to enhance financial stability and achieve her goal of purchasing a larger home with her husband.
Expressing concerns about the high cost of child care potentially offsetting any financial benefits from a full-time job, Jessica feels constrained by the current economic conditions and the overall cost of living. She expressed her frustration, stating, “I feel like right now, considering the economy, considering just the cost of living, we feel stuck.”
Women’s Labor Force Participation
The labor force participation rate among women in their prime working years has recently reached a record high of 78.1% in May, reflecting positive trends post-pandemic. However, data analysis from the Hamilton Project, a research group at the Brookings Institution, indicates a plateau in labor force participation among women with children under 5 since September.
