Mums in Tech – feat. Donna Hussey
As a special edition of our ongoing series of interviews that shines a light on incredible working mums within tech, we are featuring mothers that have trained through Code First Girls.
This is our chat with Donna Hussey, Developer Frontend with Python at The National Archives.
The purpose of our 'MotherBoard’ content series is to highlight incredible working mums within tech & data, as well as individuals and businesses that are supportive and progressive within their approach to creating more inclusive tech & data teams for women.
Sophie @ MotherBoard: Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?
Donna: I’m Donna Hussey, Developer Frontend with Python at The National Archives joined after a career change in November 2022. Currently working in the Digital Archiving department on Find Case Law a new public service providing access to court judgments and tribunal decisions. It was launched in April 2022 and has been funded and developed by The National Archives, working with the Ministry of Justice, HMCTS and the Judicial Office.
The Find Case Law service provides:
free public access to judgments, through a modern and accessible digital service that meets user’s needs;
preserves judgments permanently as digital public records in the archive;
provides judgments as data for re-use by third parties, enabling innovation whilst protecting the proper administration of justice with licensing controls. managed by The National Archives
Users can now search and browse records making it easier to find specific judgments
For transparency, we are working in an agile way and in the open. All the code we and our suppliers are developing is published on Github, and is available under an open licence. https://github.com/nationalarchives/ds-caselaw-public-ui
Sophie @ MotherBoard: Please can you tell us about why you decided to career switch into (/ or embark on a career in) tech?
Donna: With a degree in History with English it is not a traditional tech background.
When I returned to the workplace after time at home as a full-time mum it was in schools with children with special needs. I trained in autism and Lego based therapy, I launched the BLU Children's Club in 2014, offering SEN interventions using Lego bricks in schools plus Lego clubs and activity workshops.
In March 2020 Covid-19 impacted my business significantly. I made the decision to refocus my small business and transition to online services. Offering schools online training and start a full-time job as a self employment advisor. Whilst working at home in my free time I began to learn to code using codecademy and freecodecamp joined Github also completed my first project replicating the Google homepage from The Odin Project. My passion for technology continued to grow and I wanted to work as a developer full time therefore started a career change.
Sophie @ MotherBoard: Why did you choose a Code First Girls course?
Donna: I saw Code First Girls advertised on social media and there was lots of positive feedback regarding the courses they offer. I was offered a CFG Sponsored place on the CFG Degree Full Stack course. During the course if opportunities come up with companies partnered with Code First Girls it was possible to apply.
After gaining a merit grade on my CFG Degree in August 2022, I focused on job applications and was happy to accept a role with The National Archives in November 2022.
Sophie @ MotherBoard: How did you manage the juggle of studying whilst being a mum?
Donna: Studying after work and weekends was how it was possible. I was fortunate to be working from home as a self employment advisor with Shaw Trust. So after work Monday to Thursday doing the CFG Degree course was manageable. Working from home was perfect as was easier to juggle being a mum and evenings do my online course with Code First Girls.
Sophie @ MotherBoard: How do you manage the balance between parenthood and your career?
Donna: Being a single parent of three I have had to make sure I had a balance throughout the years. So throughout the years working in schools then being self employed running workshops I benefited from having the school holidays off. This was so important while the kids where young and savings on childcare costs. Balance was essential at the beginning of 2020 when my youngest child was diagnosed with Dyslexia after falling behind at school and I decided to home educate. I connected with many other mothers who also worked from home whilst home educating.
Now with my youngest back in school, working as a Developer at The National Archives I really benefit from working hybrid. Choosing your first role in tech is important as a parent. I chose to work for the Civil Service which has great benefits and options of flexible working.
Sophie @ MotherBoard: What do you think businesses can do to support mums more in the workplace?
Donna: More on-site nurseries available it would really help mums. Also keeping hybrid and remote working culture going plus more workplaces introducing a 4 day week.
