HCSS has provided balance to my life in more ways than one. I left my job as a full-time software engineer with a Department of Defense contracting company almost four years ago to work as a part-time software developer at HCSS. While I had multiple reasons for leaving, the primary reason was that I was stretching myself too thin trying to balance work and my family.
My husband had a long commute to downtown Houston everyday on top of long hours at the office. My boys were just 4 and 5 years old at the time, and since I worked remotely from home, I was always the one responsible for getting them ready and off to their separate schools, working a full day, picking them up again, making dinner, and sometimes even bedtime. Due to my husband’s career change from the Marine Corps to the banking industry, he had additional training and certifications to earn on top of his long work days and client dinners. I basically felt like a single mother on the weekdays (although I’m sure that is even harder, and I did get some respite on the weekends).
My whole life I had enjoyed staying active by playing sports or working out and was no longer making time to do so. I constantly felt rushed and would feel guilty leaving the boys in after-school care for too long. Frequently, I would cut my work day short and then finish working in the evening once the kids were asleep. I basically felt like all my time was either devoted to work or my kids. I knew something had to change.
Fast forward four years, and my life now is very different. Not only did I become a mom of three with the addition of our precious little girl a couple years ago, but I have finally found the work-life balance I had been longing for. HCSS has not only encouraged me to grow professionally, but instilled the importance of being active and leading a healthy lifestyle. Working part-time allowed me to devote time to my family, career, and myself. Now, even when I am busy, I make time to run, bike, or practice yoga. Through HCSS, I have been roped into (volunteered for?) three 200-mile, 12-man relays and have completed my first half-marathon. I also enjoy playing volleyball after work with my fellow coworkers when my schedule allows for it. I even played for a company-sponsored co-ed softball team for a while.
Six months ago, my husband became a wealth advisor for a company in Sugar Land (WJ Interests), cutting his commute time from more than hour down to 10 minutes. He is now able to help with the kids by getting them off to school in the morning so that we can stagger our work schedules. Now we can both shuttle the boys to and from baseball, flag football, basketball, and swim team (thankfully not all in the same season). Coming full circle, I recently went back to working full-time as a software developer with HCSS. I love the work I do here, and the people are pretty awesome too. I get to create innovative web applications using the latest technologies, and we make a huge impact on the construction industry. I am thankful to HCSS for giving me the job flexibility that I needed for the past few years and hope to grow with the company in the years to come.