What if we celebrated professional achievements as much as the arrival of a child? This is the idea behind the TikTok trend of career showers. Let’s analyze this phenomenon, which so far has been mostly embraced by women.
We are familiar with baby showers and bachelorette parties… Now, career showers (also called “success showers”) have arrived! The goal? Just as we celebrate important milestones in our personal lives, this trend encourages marking major career achievements with the same enthusiasm.
As is often the case, social media played a key role in the rise of this new trend. It gained popularity after a viral TikTok video by American astronaut Kellie Gerardi. To celebrate her second space mission at just 34 years old, she hosted a “space shower,” a party organized with her family in the style of a baby shower.
@kelliegerardi Technically a “space sprinkle” I guess since it’s my second spaceflight assignment 😅✨💜
♬ original sound – Kellie Gerardi
The success of her video also lies in its message: being a mother does not mean sacrificing one’s career. She reinforced this idea in an interview with Buzzfeed:
“This is partly why I choose to share glimpses of my personal life on social media: I want to reach all the young women driven by a mission who wonder if they can have an ambitious career and a family. I also want to reassure mothers who feel guilty when they struggle to find balance.”
It’s worth noting that Kellie Gerardi is no stranger to TikTok, and her commitment to promoting STEM careers for young women is longstanding. Nonetheless, her video appears to have inspired many to embrace the concept of “career showers,” as seen in the comments section.
A Festive Moment… but Also an Opportunity for Networking and Learning
“A career shower is important because you deserve to be celebrated for your achievements—not just for having babies or getting married. Professional accomplishments represent the hard work you’ve put in to get where you are and deserve recognition,” says Olivia Dreizen Howell, co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, a company specializing in “new beginnings.”
As we previously discussed on Isarta Infos, rituals are symbolic acts that mark life transitions. If career showers become more widespread, they could serve as meaningful occasions to reflect on and reframe professional growth.
An article in Success magazine also highlights that these events can be valuable networking opportunities, bringing together key figures in one’s career—mentors, managers, colleagues. They can even serve as a space for shared learning, where guests exchange advice and insights.
During her career shower celebrating five years of entrepreneurship, American businesswoman Julie Neale received a large poster created by a friend. Each guest had written a story, anecdote, or attached a photo commemorating a moment from her entrepreneurial journey. A gift she still treasures and looks at every day!
Canadian author (Breakup Bootcamp) and relationship expert Amy Chan suggests that these celebrations can also be held as group events, honoring multiple people at once.
So, when’s your next career shower?
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