*4.1. Theme #1: "Everything Is on Hold"*

For the women who experienced a negative effect on their career advancement, the most oft-cited negative sentiment (61.4%) was that any opportunity to advance their career was put on hold because of the pandemic. In fact, 21.9% of these respondents specifically mentioned that the pandemic felt like a "wasted year" with less opportunity for career advancement. Another 7.6% cited the uncertainty having everything on hold brings. As one woman stated, "It feels as though the pandemic has been a large 'HOLD' button on career advancement. Until it is over, it feels like survival". Another participant reflected, "I'm so focused on dealing with the daily upheaval that I can't even comprehend what career advancement experiences would look like. Everything seems to be on hold". The corresponding implications mentioned by respondents revealed four subthemes: the impact of lack of face-to-face time, increased work responsibility without increased pay, no raises or opportunity for advancement, and that women want change, but feel it is too risky.
