At the Intersection of Career and Caregiving: What 100 Moms Told Us
A conversation between Carolyn Kagan and Ali Caravella on career, caregiving, and building support that meets the moment:
This spring, we launched a research survey to better understand what support moms need as they navigate the complex intersection of career and caregiving—not just in the early days of motherhood, but in the years that follow.
Over 100 women responded, sharing honest, emotional, and deeply resonant stories about what it’s like to juggle a career and caregiving in today’s world. The majority were based in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and represented a wide range of industries—from healthcare and education to business, tech, and government.
In this conversation, Carolyn Kagan (Founder of The Alliance Center) sits down with Ali Caravella (Founder of Intersection Coaching and Career Coach at The Alliance Center) to talk about what we learned—and what we’re building next.
Carolyn: Let’s start with the origin story—how did this partnership between The Alliance Center and Intersection Coaching come to life?
Ali: It started with a conversation—actually at a Chamber of Mothers gathering—where we quickly realized we were seeing the same themes in our work. So many women we spoke to were navigating the complicated intersection of career and caregiving—wondering if they were making the right choices, second-guessing whether they were doing enough in either realm, and feeling like there was no real space to process or get support.
Not all were in crisis, necessarily—but they also weren’t thriving. What was missing was a structure of support that acknowledged their ambition and their caregiving responsibilities, and helped them move forward with clarity, confidence, and community.
The Alliance Center has built such a strong foundation around maternal mental health, and I’ve spent the last several years supporting women at the intersection of work and care. It made perfect sense to team up and expand the definition of what support can look like, especially for moms navigating career transitions, burnout, or identity shifts.
Carolyn: We launched this survey to better understand moms’ needs—what surprised or resonated most in the responses?
Ali: The level of honesty. These weren’t surface-level responses—people opened up about feeling invisible, anxious, behind, unsupported. Many were trying to stay afloat at work while dealing with guilt, overwhelm, and impossible expectations at home.
And despite their unique situations, the themes were consistent. Moms are carrying a lot—and they’re doing it quietly.
“Some days are great, some are fine, some you feel terribly alone and like you can’t do anything right.”
“There is just too much to manage… Drinking enough water, getting in daily movement, being present with my husband and son, running my business, prioritizing sleep… etc., etc., etc.”
Carolyn: What challenges came up most often?
Ali: It was striking.
78% of respondents reported feelings of guilt or overwhelm
78% named anxiety or stress
72% struggled to feel focused or present
66% said they were at or approaching burnout
37% were concerned about career progression
30% felt isolated
Even women in “family-friendly” work environments felt like they had to constantly choose between showing up fully as a parent or as a professional.
“The headline for me is, no matter how flexible your workplace is, it doesn't feel possible to be 100% employee or 100% mom when you're doing both at once... We’re facing a world of shortcuts and doing the best we can.”
But it’s not just about burnout.
One of the most important things we saw in the data is that nearly 50% of respondents said they’re seeking career growth or promotion. These women are navigating complex realities—and they’re still ambitious. They’re looking for support not only to cope, but to grow.
Too often, the media paints working moms as being on the edge of collapse. And while there’s real truth in the exhaustion, it’s only part of the story. These moms also want to lead, create, pivot, and rise—and they’re eager for coaching and professional development that respects both their capacity and their care responsibilities.
Ali: From your perspective as a clinician and founder, how do these findings align with what you’re hearing from clients at The Alliance Center?
Carolyn: Spot on. These are the same patterns we’re hearing every day—from clients who’ve moved past the postpartum stage but still feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unseen. The transition into motherhood isn’t a one-year process. It’s ongoing. And our systems—workplaces, policies, even healthcare—often don’t reflect that.
What we see is that emotional support, while critical, isn’t enough on its own. Moms need strategy. Community. Spaces where they can talk about identity, ambition, and caregiving in the same breath.
Carolyn: So what kind of support did moms actually ask for in the survey?
Ali: They were really clear. The top responses were:
Peer support groups (55%)
Career coaching (38%)
Workshops on stress, flexibility, and work-life balance (38%)
Leadership & professional development (34%)
Maternity leave and return-to-work strategy (19%)
And they told us how they want it:
72% want virtual workshops
Over half are open to in-person support
One-on-one coaching, self-paced tools, and flexible scheduling all ranked highly
Timing-wise, lunch breaks and evenings were most preferred, but there was strong interest across the board.
Carolyn: Was there a unifying theme that stood out across all these needs?
Ali: Absolutely. Moms want support that feels real—not fluffy wellness, but something personal, strategic, and nonjudgmental. They want spaces where they can say, “Here’s what I’m struggling with,” and actually get tools to move forward.
And maybe most of all, they want to feel less alone.
“The most powerful thing is knowing you’re not alone.”
“I left the workforce because moms weren’t supported at all.”
There’s this longing for connection and clarity—for help navigating not just work or parenting, but the space between.
Carolyn: So what’s next?
Ali: We’re already hosting focus groups to dive deeper, and we’re building out a suite of offerings based directly on what we heard:
Return-to-work coaching packages
Career clarity intensives
Workshops on burnout, time management, and setting boundaries
Peer circles for connection and support
One-on-one coaching services
We’re starting with pilot programs—experimental, flexible, and designed in partnership with the very women who told us what they need.
Carolyn: Anything else you’d want readers to know?
Ali: Just that if you’re reading this and nodding along—you’re not the only one. This isn’t about “fixing” moms. It’s about creating spaces that reflect the real complexity of our lives—and giving women the tools and support to make aligned, confident choices.
Want to Get Involved?
If you’d like to stay in the loop and get early access to upcoming services, workshops, and coaching offerings, we’d love to keep you informed.
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Book a free 30-minute consultation with Ali if you're navigating your own career or caregiving crossroads and want personalized support
We’re building a new kind of support system—for the full journey of motherhood. And we’d love to have you with us.
