Mums in Tech ft. Paula Harrison
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Paula Harrison, Sales Director at Layers Studio.
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.
Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?
I’m one half of the owner/management team at Layers Studio. With a background in Sales this is still a huge part of my job (both looking at our own sales as well as that of our clients), however as a small business there are a lot of other hats to wear, including account management, people management/HR, finance/invoicing, and probably some other things I’m forgetting.
If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
Tech life and Mum life are quite similar - there’s always a bloody bug and there’s only so much you can do to avoid them!
“Tech life and Mum life are quite similar - there’s always a bloody bug and there’s only so much you can do to avoid them!”
How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?
I think it’s important to firstly note that there’s no one size fits all when it comes to balance as my idea of balance is going to look different than someone else's, however one of the most important things for me is realising that I’m not JUST a Mum or a Career woman, I’m a lot of different things and they’re all important to me, so I need to work out how to make sure that I get time for all of them in order to feel fulfilled. One of the biggest things is prioritising time just for me - not at work, and not with my daughter, JUST me. Setting some non-negotiables has helped me, like going for a walk every day just to give me a bit of head space.
What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
I was shortlisted for the Mentor of the Year award at the Northern Power Women awards following my return to work. The recognition is lovely but I think the reason it means so much is because I want to be a role model to my kids, I want them to know the value of hard work, and I want them to know how much fulfilment you can get out of helping other people.
“One of the most important things for me is realising that I’m not JUST a Mum or a Career woman, I’m a lot of different things and they’re all important to me”
What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
I feel like becoming a Mum has helped my leadership but giving me more empathy towards others that may be juggling multiple commitments. I’m getting to the point now with my daughter (she’s 1.5 yr old) where I feel like my negotiation skills are going to go through a bit of a crash course as well so I have no doubt that will translate well into a work setting. It has also massively helped with how I prioritise tasks now. I realise I don’t need to be involved in everything, and actually it’s best if I’m not involved in everything.
When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
A strong support network - my husband, my business partner, my staff, friends etc. Knowing that I had people in my corner that fully backed me and would do whatever they could to support me. I think something that could be better is more open conversations around expectations, boundaries and workload. For example, when I came back to work I was still breastfeeding so I had to stop 3 times per day to express milk. Ensuring that no one booked in meetings during those times was really important but that requires communication with the whole team.
“I think something that could be better is more open conversations around expectations, boundaries and workload.”
What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?
Realise that everyone’s experience is different so there needs to be open communication. Ask what would be helpful and make any reasonable adjustments. Understand that just because someone is now a Mum, does not mean that they love their job any less, it doesn’t mean they will try any less, and it certainly doesn’t mean that work isn’t a priority for them BUT there will be days when that dreaded nursery call comes that they will have to drop everything and go. Be there for them and you will have a loyal employee for life!
Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
Lean on your support network - colleagues, family, friends. Chances are other people in your network have been through what you’ve been through already and although they might not be able to do anything to help, it’s sometimes nice just knowing that you’re not alone.
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