Repost Series: Navigating the Motherhood-Career Balancing Act
Fri Aug 15 2025
In this episode, Shanarra Goode is joined by Monique Benoit, a chemical engineer, and mother of four, shares her inspiring story of balancing motherhood and career aspirations. From her journey as a chemical engineer to becoming a retail expert in the beauty industry, Monique discusses the valuable lessons she learned about leadership and managing teams while raising her daughters. She also shares her incredible experience of interviewing for a job while nine months pregnant and securing the position after delivering her baby. Let’s explore the challenges and joys of balancing work and motherhood, setting boundaries, and creating your own path to parenthood, even if it means considering single parenting by choice.
Join us for an insightful discussion on navigating your career journey with newfound confidence and success!
Introduction (0:00-03:05)
Shanarra introduces Monique Benoit, a chemical engineer, merchant, and mother of four, shares her inspiring story of balancing motherhood and career aspirations.
From Chemical Engineering to Retail Visionary (03:06 - 07:27)
Monique shares her background, including her chemical engineering degree and transition to technical sales, then to retail after obtaining her MBA. She discusses her work experience at Target, Anthropologie, and her own consultancy.
Balancing Personal and Professional Expectations (07:38 - 10:29)
The challenges of balancing early motherhood with her career ambitions. Discuss how one’s own career expectations and how societal norms influenced her perception of marriage and motherhood.
Monique's Drive to Return to Work Post-Maternity Leave (16:21 - 25:00)
Discuss the balance between career ambitions and the biological clock, reflecting on the challenges women face in balancing both. Monique’s perseverance and drive to return to work shortly after maternity leave. She shares her quick recovery from childbirth and how her career orientation motivated her to get back to work.
Balancing Social Life with Motherhood 32:39 - 34:16
Differences in social dynamics between her and her child-free friends. Monique talks about the logistical and emotional challenges of balancing social activities with parenting responsibilities.
Choosing Motherhood Intentionally 37:54 - 39:56
Respect for women who choose single motherhood intentionally and the preparations involved. Comparison between your own path to motherhood and that of women who choose it proactively.
Embracing Individual Timelines 42:03 - 45:00
Encouragement for younger women to create their own paths in life. Discussion on societal expectations and the impact of traditional narratives on personal decisions.
More
In this episode, Shanarra Goode is joined by Monique Benoit, a chemical engineer, and mother of four, shares her inspiring story of balancing motherhood and career aspirations. From her journey as a chemical engineer to becoming a retail expert in the beauty industry, Monique discusses the valuable lessons she learned about leadership and managing teams while raising her daughters. She also shares her incredible experience of interviewing for a job while nine months pregnant and securing the position after delivering her baby. Let’s explore the challenges and joys of balancing work and motherhood, setting boundaries, and creating your own path to parenthood, even if it means considering single parenting by choice. Join us for an insightful discussion on navigating your career journey with newfound confidence and success! Introduction (0:00-03:05) Shanarra introduces Monique Benoit, a chemical engineer, merchant, and mother of four, shares her inspiring story of balancing motherhood and career aspirations. From Chemical Engineering to Retail Visionary (03:06 - 07:27) Monique shares her background, including her chemical engineering degree and transition to technical sales, then to retail after obtaining her MBA. She discusses her work experience at Target, Anthropologie, and her own consultancy. Balancing Personal and Professional Expectations (07:38 - 10:29) The challenges of balancing early motherhood with her career ambitions. Discuss how one’s own career expectations and how societal norms influenced her perception of marriage and motherhood. Monique's Drive to Return to Work Post-Maternity Leave (16:21 - 25:00) Discuss the balance between career ambitions and the biological clock, reflecting on the challenges women face in balancing both. Monique’s perseverance and drive to return to work shortly after maternity leave. She shares her quick recovery from childbirth and how her career orientation motivated her to get back to work. Balancing Social Life with Motherhood 32:39 - 34:16 Differences in social dynamics between her and her child-free friends. Monique talks about the logistical and emotional challenges of balancing social activities with parenting responsibilities. Choosing Motherhood Intentionally 37:54 - 39:56 Respect for women who choose single motherhood intentionally and the preparations involved. Comparison between your own path to motherhood and that of women who choose it proactively. Embracing Individual Timelines 42:03 - 45:00 Encouragement for younger women to create their own paths in life. Discussion on societal expectations and the impact of traditional narratives on personal decisions.