Mums in Tech - feat. Neha Aggarwal
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Neha Aggarwal, Senior Software Engineer at JP Morgan.
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?
Neha: My name is Neha, a wife and mother of one child. I relocated to the UK 11 years ago from India, and I have a master’s degree in computer applications. I am currently working as a full stack developer at JP Morgan, however my area of expertise is Front End development.
Amber: If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
Neha: Balancing the demands of a career in technology with the responsibilities of motherhood is a daily juggle of multitasking, prioritising and finding moments of joy amidst the chaos!
Being a working mum in Balancing the demands of a career in technology with the responsibilities of motherhood is a daily juggle of multitasking, prioritising and finding moments of joy amidst the chaos!
Amber: How do you find balance between your career and motherhood?
Neha: By identifying priorities in both my career and my motherly duties. Setting clear goals and creating a plan that allows us to allocate time and energy to each aspect of life accordingly.
Sometimes it’s challenging to balance between the two, but I always focus on the quality of the time I spend with my child rather than the quantity.
Amber: What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
Neha: My greatest challenge is the unpredictable nature of work in tech. Sometimes you need to spend long hours at odd times on production issues and releases etc. Along with this the pressure to constantly stay updated with evolving technologies makes it difficult to find time for family and personal life.
“Support can come in various forms, but one specific thing that matters most is flexible work arrangements.”
Amber: What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
Neha: Flexibility and adaptability. Parenting requires flexibility and adaptability as children grow and their needs change. I have learnt to adapt to new situations quickly and remain resilient in the face of challenges, which is also beneficial in dynamic work environments.
Amber: When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
Neha: One thing that helped me is having a supportive work environment and understanding colleagues. Support can come in various forms, but one specific thing that matters most is flexible work arrangements.
Flexibility in work hours and the ability to work remotely helped me massively during the transition of going back to work after my maternity leave.
“It's okay to not have everything perfectly balanced all the time. Set realistic expectations for yourself in both your career and your role as a mother and be gentle with yourself when things don't go as planned.”
Amber: What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who are wanting to support working mothers better?
Neha: Employers should offer flexible work options such as remote work, and flexible hours. They can trust the employees to finish the tasks at hand in their own time but within the project deadlines. This allows working mothers to better manage their work schedules and family responsibilities.
Another thing which employers should focus on is to offer opportunities for career development, mentorship, and advancement that accommodate the needs of working mothers. Provide training and resources to help mothers navigate career transitions and overcome barriers to advancement.
Amber: Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
Neha: I would advise other mums to prioritise their own well-being, both physically and mentally. Take breaks when needed, practice self-care activities that recharge you, and seek support from your network when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
It's okay to not have everything perfectly balanced all the time. Set realistic expectations for yourself in both your career and your role as a mother and be gentle with yourself when things don't go as planned.
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