Mums in Tech ft. Laura-Jayne Adamson
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Laura-Jayne Adamson, Data Engineer at Purple Frog Data Analytics.
The purpose of our 'MotherBoard’ interview series is to highlight incredible working mums within tech, as well as individuals and businesses that are supportive and progressive within their approach to creating more inclusive tech teams for women.
Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?
I’m Laura and I am the mum to an amazing 8 year old daughter, Nova. I am a proud young mum too, with Nova coming into the world about 18 hours after sitting my very first A-Level exam just to make a dramatic entrance. I have always loved numbers, patterns and solving problems - when asked as a child what my dream job was, I would always say an accountant!
Work wise, I am a Data Engineer at Purple Frog Data Analytics. I have been in my role for the last 3 years. I completed a degree in Business Management back in 2022, and had a dabble in roles in Social Media management and at a Mortgage advisors before finding my dream role.
If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
It is challenging to navigate, but a source of immense pride.
“It is challenging to navigate, but a source of immense pride.”
How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?
I am in a very fortunate position in my role in that my company has been able to work with me to accommodate my needs as a mother. I work remotely after moving away from the offices to support my fiance in a necessary step in his career progression. Also, 3 days a week, I finish at 3pm so that I can do the school run and spend quality time with her after school, doing clubs and more.
It is important to me that once I have completed the work that I need for the day that I close off my work, and I do this physically by shutting away my office and leaving the house for that separation from my work self. Once a month, I will travel to the office to spend a day in-person with my colleagues where I can switch off from my ‘mum-mode’ for the day and as strange as it may sound, I can relax at work as it is a break from some of my many responsibilities.
What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
The biggest challenge to me has been the lack of other mum’s in my field that I am connected to. There is already a prevalent gap in women in tech roles, let alone mothers in a tech role. To further add to that, I am a young mum also, so I sometimes can feel quite isolated in my position.
What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
When I had my daughter, I made a commitment to myself and her that I wanted to be a role model for her and other young girls, that you really can achieve your goals if you are resilient and determined. Parenting has pushed me to come out of my shell, become more confident to set that example, and I am now able to take part in speaking engagements in various settings.
She has also really helped my build my patience!
When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
I wasn’t in a position of returning to work after having a child, but rather starting my career with a toddler. The main thing that helped me was being clear with the company on what my circumstances were, and what support would help me, for example I would need to leave to do school runs every day at 3.
What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?
Working with mums on what support they need or want from the business. Have an understanding of what they are juggling at home and make it an open conversation, as it can feel daunting going to your employer with a possible change to the way someone works. Also, not every mum will have the same requirements, so it needs to be on an individual needs basis.
Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
Keeping rocking, and showing that working mums are incredible, juggling so many different hats on a daily basis. Be proud of what you have achieved, what you will achieve and the example you are setting for your children too 💜
“Be proud of what you have achieved, what you will achieve and the example you are setting for your children too”
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