Mums in Tech – feat. Nicola Martin
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series we caught up with Nicola Martin, Head of Quality Engineering at Adarga.
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 @ MotherBoard: Can you please introduce yourself, your role, and why you feel supporting mums working within tech & data is so important?
Nicola: Hello, I'm Nicola Martin, and my current role is Head of Quality Engineering at Adarga.
In my view, supporting mothers in tech or those looking to return to the field is really important. Given the existing gender disparity in the industry, we must make concerted efforts to bridge this gap. Many talented mothers possess the skills needed to address the industry's skills shortage, and it is crucial to recognise and tap into their underutilised potential. We can not only create a more diverse and inclusive tech community but also address the talent shortage effectively.
“Many talented mothers possess the skills needed to address the industry's skills shortage, and it is crucial to recognise and tap into their underutilised potential.”
Amber @ MotherBoard: How have you managed to build a successful career, whilst also embarking on motherhood and what challenges have you faced in finding a balance?
Nicola: As a working mother, I must admit that it hasn't been an easy journey for me. Balancing my career in tech with motherhood has required me to make significant adjustments to my career aspirations. The lack of support for working mums in the tech industry has been challenging, prompting me to reevaluate my career path.
“Balancing my career in tech with motherhood has required me to make significant adjustments to my career aspirations. The lack of support for working mums in the tech industry has been challenging, prompting me to reevaluate my career path.”
Because of these experiences, I have become an advocate for working mothers in tech and actively volunteer to bring about positive change. I understand that taking on additional responsibilities outside my day job might not make things easier, but I find joy in the work I do alongside being a mother.
Despite the challenges, I prioritise self-care and take breaks when needed, paying attention to my body's need for rest. Fortunately, I currently have a good support system for term time and holidays that helps me manage, but I'm aware that many others may not be as fortunate, and we need to give more thought to supporting them.
“Fortunately, I currently have a good support system for term time and holidays that helps me manage, but I'm aware that many others may not be as fortunate, and we need to give more thought to supporting them.”
Amber @ MotherBoard: What is the hardest moment you have had as a mum whilst at work?
Nicola: When my partner passed away from cancer in 2019 and I genuinely considered giving work up because I couldn’t figure out how I would balance a demanding tech job and looking after a child under 2 years old. Fortunately, I had a place at a small local nursery and my son had already been attending so they were amazingly helpful and understanding, when I was working in London and getting back late sometimes they would stay open just for me! I also had family members who rallied around so that I could take time when I needed to and keep everything going.
Amber @ MotherBoard: What do you think businesses need to do to support mums working in tech & data better?
Nicola: Really obvious things like keeping flexible working arrangements, allowing part-time or even job shares on certain roles where it can be done – these things alone would attract more mothers back into the workplace.
“ Obvious things like keeping flexible working arrangements, allowing part-time or even job shares on certain roles …. would attract more mothers back into the workplace”
Mentorship and career development so that 1. They don’t feel as though they have been left behind after time off and 2. They feel as though they still belong and are valued by the company and have the same opportunities as other staff members.
Amber @ MotherBoard: What do you think the government needs to do to make it easier for mums to balance a career and parenting?
Nicola: The government needs to work with businesses to ensure they are including policies for working parents, not just talking about it implementing them. The main barriers to people returning to work are around finding affordable care and whether or not a company has a good parental support policy.
Amber @ MotherBoard: Do you have any final words of advice for our readers about balancing being a mum and having a successful career?
Nicola: If you are making the decision to return to work, make sure that you discuss your needs and wants with your employer and establish boundaries. Don’t go back to a situation where you will be overwhelmed, overworked and unable to balance everything.
“ Discuss your needs and wants with your employer and establish boundaries. Don’t go back to a situation where you will be overwhelmed, overworked and unable to balance everything. ”
If you’ve already returned to tech as a mother, make sure that you will be supported through mentorship and coaching where you need it and keep the dialogue open with your employer so that you always work in an environment where you feel as valued as everyone else.
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