Career with Children

"Career with Kids" (KmK) is a mentoring program developed by EAF Berlin to support balancing parenthood with professional leadership responsibilities.

We are currently running the program at Deutsche Telekom AG.

By 2024, over 100 mentees and 100 mentors had joined the KmK community across 5 cohorts. The program focuses primarily on the early stages of family life—even for those in leadership roles. It supports parents in their careers and promotes the acceptance of a life-stage-oriented HR policy. EAF supports 25 mentees and their mentors over an 18-month period through needs-based workshops and networking events.

These sessions sensitize leaders to the fact that flexible working models are viable even in management positions. This makes a significant contribution to cultural change and helps increase the proportion of women in leadership roles. At the same time, it provides targeted support for the professional development of both female and male emerging leaders during the early stages of family life.

As EAF Berlin, we manage the mentoring process: mentees and mentors are sensitized to their respective roles through regular reflection and orientation sessions and receive methodological support for their tandem work.

Mentees are further empowered through training: whether it's developing parenting skills, tips for increasing visibility, or flexible working models—we tailor our training content to the needs of the target group.

Networking events foster exchange among program alumni and enable the maintenance and expansion of the KmK community.

Target group:

• female and male emerging leaders in the early stages of family life, shortly before, during, or shortly after parental leave
• the environment surrounding these emerging leaders—supervisors, HR managers, other executives, and employee representatives—is included through networking opportunities

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As a mentor in the EAF "Career with Kids" program, I have been supporting working colleagues during and after their parental leave since 2012, helping them balance their professional and family lives. Together, we develop individual time management strategies, plan realistic career goals, and expand valuable networks. Sometimes, it just takes active listening and being there. It is especially rewarding to witness their professional progress, as well as their personal ups and downs and emotional milestones. Supporting people in this way has shown me just how important targeted assistance and good communication are for a successful career during this life phase. Working with the mentees is a constant source of inspiration for me.

Stefanie Block (Manager, Telekom Deutschland, Product Marketing)

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Are you becoming a mom or dad and currently planning your parental leave? Of course, there are people in your private life who are there to offer advice. Your HR department will support you, too. But real-world experiences from (expectant) parents in your immediate work environment are invaluable. Through KmK, you gain contacts, learn about the best support services, discover how to navigate bureaucratic processes, and learn how to overcome resistance—all with a reality check tailored to your specific corporate culture, guided by EAF professionals. This network during my first two years as a dad was priceless, as was the new connection to people within my own company!

Carlos Hedderich (HR Strategy Manager, Deutsche Telekom AG)

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When I participated in the "Career with Children" program in 2009, I never expected how positively and lastingly this experience would impact my professional and personal life. The connections I made through the program have proven invaluable and remain strong to this day! Some of these contacts have even turned into close friendships. As a mother of two, I advanced to a leadership position in 2017. The support and network I gained through the program were irreplaceable. It showed me that a successful career and family life are absolutely compatible when you have the right resources and support by your side. In recent years, I have enjoyed sharing my experiences and have been active as a mentor and speaker at various events, such as panel discussions. It is a matter close to my heart to encourage and support other parents in shaping their professional paths with children confidently and successfully.

Katja Eckert (Head of Leadership & Talent Development at Telekom Deutschland GmbH)

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Recognizing, developing, and utilizing my inner strengths—and feeling understood and supported among many like-minded people from my professional environment. That is what KmK means to me. I feel carried by so much positive energy. Fully aware that the journey is not yet over. Not for ME: I can do all of this! Despite, and precisely BECAUSE I am a mother of two! And not for our society yet: The balancing act between family life and professional success remains immense for families, and especially for mothers. Thank you, EAF, for supporting us on this path!

Anja Fasen (HR Marketing Specialist, Telekom)