In the years directly following World War I, the media slowly became intrigued with a debate later called the Mommy Wars: Should women stay at home or should they work? Many have found that there is no clear answer.

While this debate still exists today, the dichotomy has been blurred slightly. Many women are not choosing between the two positions, but instead are taking on both roles. In general, people have recognized that mothers are working now and that balancing family and work is a concern for them. When coming out of college or graduate school, this issue may or may not be in the forefront of the mind of most young women. Regardless, some brief preparation now may help you juggle family and work in the future.

Identify your desires. While it may be difficult to make such a decision early, it is important to identify your future goals. Analyze what you want in your future by asking questions such as: Do you want a family? Do you want children? Do you want to have a career? If so, in what area do you want to work? Think about the lifestyles associated with each of these questions and think about your objectives in life. But, think about each of these questions independently. Do not let your wish to have children influence your wish to have a career. Above all, remember that your answers to these questions do not have to be permanent; you could change them tomorrow if you wanted.

If you do want a family, children, and a career, it is possible. Success stories of women balancing work and family are everywhere. India Keith is a prime example. With five children ranging from the ages of six to newborn in 1991, India decided to quit her job at a small private law firm in order to begin practicing law from her home. She invested $5,000 in a computer, a fax machine, and a printer and then set up a business in her home. She worked while her children were in school and after they went to sleep at night.

"You have to decide what you want," said India. "I work because I wanted to be with different people at different points during the day. It keeps my mind sharp."

Analyze your options. Armed with personal wish lists, women who want to have a career and a family can begin to coordinate these various pieces into one feasible plan. First, you should determine the time requirements and flexibility associated with the job you would like to pursue. Paying particular attention to the "Working Conditions" section, read the job profile of your desired career in the Occupational Outlook Handbook provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If this does not provide enough information, ask your Career Counselor about the particular career or interview a professional in the field. Certain positions offer more flexibility than others. It is also important to consider timing. Some careers require longer hours in the first few years while others require continuous effort. As a result, some careers are easier to manage with a family.

If your career is not inherently suited to raising a family, there are additional options. For example, many women like India Keith are starting their own businesses in order to maintain a flexible schedule. Other women are working part-time or taking additional classes relevant to their field. Still others are working full-time while utilizing the child care offered by the company for which they work. Some even quit work for an extended period of time and then return to the workplace later in life. Whatever the career, the number of options available to working mothers is growing and will continue to grow in the future.

If you do plan to work and have a family, recognize that it can be done, with help. Despite these various options, no one woman can do everything by herself. As India Keith accurately states: "There are sacrifices that have to be made. Typically you are the one that is going to be making those sacrifices because you do not want to sacrifice your kids, your husband, or your work; you are the one that gets the brunt of it." A woman balancing family and work should recognize that these sacrifices are inevitable. As a result, she should also recognize the need for help. Often educated women with the drive to maintain a family and a career can become bogged down with routine, daily tasks. However, it is important to remain focused on your priorities and on your desires. Then, with a little bit of help and with a little bit of focus, you can do anything.