Mums in Tech ft. Megan Armstrong
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Megan Armstrong, Digital Marketing Manager at Alert Data.
The purpose of this content 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?
Hi! I’m Megan, Digital Marketing Manager for Alert Data and Mum to Archie (2 in March 2026).
My role involves the creation and execution of the Marketing strategy for managed IT and security services startup, Alert Data. A key focus is our Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) platform, SEiNG, which enables businesses to manage their CCTV systems remotely in a simpler, more secure, and more efficient way – in part thanks to AI-backed filters and analysis tools. The best part is that it works with existing cameras, allowing businesses to leverage the latest tech without spending a fortune or generating e-waste from ripping out perfectly good security cameras. Plus, being a managed service, users don’t have to be overly techy themselves to make the most of it, as our team does the heavy lifting.
I joined Alert Data after maternity leave, following redundancy when my son was four months old. It was all above board, unfortunately the entire UK marketing team was let go, but it was still a stressful time. My previous two roles were also in tech, so it’s very much the niche I’ve fallen into.
On top of being a working mum, I also am a full-time pancreas. I have type 1 diabetes, so rely on hardware and an algorithm every day to stay alive. It’s probably another reason why tech fascinates me, as I understand how developments can save and improve lives. But I also know it still has a way to go, which makes it an exciting industry to be part of. I expect to benefit at some point from AI and whatever other emerging technologies are to come in this space.
If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
It’s like having two brains: one focused on work and deadlines, the other thinking about nap schedules and questioning if the baby’s poo is a funny colour.
How do you find a balance between your career and motherhood?
Boundaries and flexibility. They might sound like opposites, but they actually work hand in hand. For me, a boundary includes when I work. I don’t make a habit of staying late in the office or logging in during evenings or days off. It’s not that I’ll never do those things (flexibility works both ways), but I protect my time so it doesn’t become the norm. Instead, during my workday I manage my time effectively to do everything I need to and I give 110%. But outside of work, my time belongs to my family. At the same time though, flexibility is essential, both from me and my employer, so that when things like childcare don’t go to plan, we can adapt without guilt or stress.
It can feel like a tough balance because family is always the priority, but my career is something I’ve worked hard for. I don’t want one to hold the other back, and I firmly believe that doesn’t have to be the case. In a way, having a strong desire to do well in both helps me find balance, because I have to.
“It can feel like a tough balance because family is always the priority, but my career is something I’ve worked hard for. I don’t want one to hold the other back, and I firmly believe that doesn’t have to be the case.”
What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
Starting a new job right after maternity leave. After spending a year at home with Archie and never being away from him for more than a few hours, it was hard to imagine not being with him every day. I would have found that difficult even returning to a familiar role but being made redundant meant I was stepping into a completely new job at a new company.
In tech, the learning curve can be steep; products and services can be complex, and as a marketer, you need to understand them inside out. On top of that, you have to learn to speak the same language as your audience - in my case, IT managers - which takes time. So not only was I adjusting to being back at work after maternity leave, I was also learning a technical product and a new market from scratch.
I also had a bit of imposter syndrome after being away for so long, wondering if I’d still perform at the same level and bring the same value as before. To be honest though, I think the year break actually made me better. Working for a supportive company helped too, as I was given the space to find my feet.
“I also had a bit of imposter syndrome after being away for so long, wondering if I’d still perform at the same level and bring the same value as before. To be honest though, I think the year break actually made me better.“
What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
I’m more emotionally mature than I was before. Dealing with a toddler's emotions really sets you up to deal with different personality types. Plus, when there’s a disagreement, pause, consider situations from another person’s perspective, and empathise with them, rather than just react. Where toddlers have limited language abilities, we also get skilled at communication both through words and actions, which translates into clearer, more thoughtful interactions.
Another is adaptability. Juggling schedules and unexpected situations has made me better at adapting to unforeseen situations and remaining calm when factors are out of my control. It feeds into a mindset shift too – rather than focusing on what has gone wrong, I don’t waste energy and instead just focus on how I can solve it.
All this, sometimes running on broken sleep. That’s a skill in itself!
When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
As mentioned, my return to work involved starting a completely new role!
When I was made redundant, I was worried about how I would actually find a job. Long interview processes were off the table since I had no one available to look after Archie. Plus I was still breastfeeding, so couldn’t exactly be away from him for a long time.
Archie was booked in to start nursery in March 2025, so whilst I could have delayed my job search until I had childcare, I couldn’t really afford to do that after a year on statutory maternity pay (which, let's face it, is incredibly poor) and sky-high nursery fees.
My requirements for a job added to the difficulty. I needed a part-time position and because nursery had a year-long waiting list, I couldn’t change the days I could work. Part-time Marketing jobs aren’t common and are often underpaid, so that was a big concern.
So, to answer the question, Alert Data helped me by making everything so simple.
The Director, Phil, found me on LinkedIn. He reached out and from the start was understanding about the fact I was on maternity leave and therefore responsible for a little one. There were no excessive interview rounds, presentations required, or anything like that. Just a couple of quick meetings that fit around Archie’s nap schedule, so I didn’t have to sacrifice my time with him or strain my sleep deprived brain to secure the job.
They were happy to agree to my Monday to Wednesday schedule on a hybrid basis for added flexibility. And then waited almost 8 months for me to start, so I could enjoy the rest of my mat leave free from the burden of trying to find a role. Additionally, they gave me the option to keep in touch, so it wouldn’t be too much of a shock to the system actually starting. I’ll forever be grateful for how this was handled.
What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?
Flexibility. Being able to adjust working hours or arrangements when unexpected situations arise, such as childcare challenges or appointments, can make a huge difference. Flexibility also allows working Mums to manage their energy and focus, so we can be fully present and effective both at work and at home. It helps create a culture that recognises that life and work don’t always fit neatly into fixed hours and supports employees to thrive in both spheres.
It’s not just about flexibility when someone becomes an employee either. Think about your recruitment processes. Asking jobseekers to fill out 10-page forms, do 3 exams, 5 interviews and a presentation can waste everyone's time and may unintentionally exclude working mums from applying. And even if we do apply, it can put us at a disadvantage, because it’s much easier to prepare for over-complicated application processes when you don’t have family responsibilities. Simplify processes and be understanding that employees have a life.
Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
My advice would be to trust yourself and your abilities. Being a mother doesn’t hold you back from excelling in tech. If anything, it equips you with even more skills for success.
“Being a mother doesn’t hold you back from excelling in tech. If anything, it equips you with even more skills for success.”
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