Mums in Tech - feat. Mel Choudhury
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Mel Choudhury, Front End Developer at Nzime.
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.
Amber: Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?
Mel: Hey, I'm Mel, a front-end developer at Nzime, a creative agency based in Nottingham. My daily role consists of coding websites using a front-end tech stack that utilises Craft as a CMS. When I'm not working, I'm a proud mum to a 7-year-old and two cats, and I also have a husband whom I'm lucky to call my best friend.
Amber: If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
Mel: Challenging but rewarding at the same time. It’s more fun doing things that are hard.
Being a working mum in tech is challenging but rewarding at the same time. It’s more fun doing the things that are hard.
Amber: How do you find balance between your career and motherhood?
Mel: I find balance by waking up early to go to the gym or run; this really clears my head and sets me up for the day.
Amber: What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
Mel: My greatest challenge is mum guilt. I find that if I am busy coding outside of work, it takes away time from my family. I need to make sure I set aside separate times for learning outside of work and plan family activities during the week.
“Being a mother requires doing two or even three things at once… I can bring these skills into my professional life, as I am adept at handling multiple tasks simultaneously and am also very efficient at getting work done.”
Amber: What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
Mel: I’m an excellent multitasker. I find that being a mother requires doing two or even three things at once—household chores while entertaining your child, to be exact! I can bring these skills into my professional life, as I am adept at handling multiple tasks simultaneously and am also very efficient at getting work done.
Amber: When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
Mel: I’m really lucky to have a hands-on husband who loves being a dad. He helped me look after our daughter when I started a new role.
“Embrace the power of balance, assign yourself family time like you would for any work project.”
Amber: What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who are wanting to support working mothers better?
Mel:The top priority should be being truly flexible. Working from home helps a lot with school runs, and flexitime also helps massively.
Amber: Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
Mel: Embrace the power of balance, assign yourself family time like you would for any work project.
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