Mums in Tech – feat. Katie Lin

As part of a special edition of ‘Mums in Tech’ series in collaboration with Le Wagon, MotherBoard caught up with Katie Lin, Software Developer at Softwire.

The purpose of the ‘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?

Katie: Hi! I’m Katie, a mother of two who relocated from Hong Kong to the UK two years ago. After participating in Le Wagon’s boot camp, I transitioned from the finance industry to become a full stack developer, currently working full time at Softwire, where I am supported to balance my work and family life.

You’ve had a bit of a journey starting in tech, moving to finance and then coming back into tech. Why did you feel the need to do the web development boot camp at Le Wagon to rekindle your career in the tech industry?

Katie: I did the boot camp mainly due to my lack of local working experience and a considerable gap whilst I worked in the banking industry. Also, I was a mechanical engineering student with limited and outdated programming knowledge. Enrolling in Le Wagon’s web development bootcamp could help renew my knowledge and I considered it the most cost-effective way to bridge my transition back to the tech industry.

Enrolling in Le Wagon’s web development bootcamp could help renew my knowledge and I considered it the most cost-effective way to bridge my transition back to the tech industry

How did you manage to balance the web development course with motherhood?

Katie: With the boot camp always a part of my relocation plan, I have been saving up some money for all of the living costs and especially nursery fees for my 3-year-old daughter at that time. My daughter is at the nursery every Tuesday to Thursday so I could be at the campus, and I usually stayed home on Mondays and Fridays so I could be with her while she could also see and understand that I’m learning and studying.

What do you think the main differences are being a working mum in Hong Kong versus the UK? Is there anything we can learn from your experiences?

Katie: Being a working mother in Hong Kong meant staying with your baby for a mere 14 weeks of maternity leave before going back to work, much less than the UK’s 52 weeks. The UK culture also supports a better work-life balance and less overtime, and more UK companies allow remote working and flexible hours. I do suggest checking with the company when you are offered a job, and while the company provides great support, we should also respect the company and appreciate how supportive they are.

Many people look to up-skill so they can switch careers into the tech industry because they are seeking work-life balance. How have you made motherhood and work work for you?

Katie: Before joining the company, I checked that it’s possible to work from home or do parenting tasks at the office e.g. pumping breast milk. As the company supports remote working and flexible working hours, after my maternity leave, I would start working an hour earlier and take shorter lunches so I could fit in different 10-15 minute breaks to breastfeed or take care of my son when needed.

How did you find the job hunt after you graduated? What advice can you give to any mothers looking to switch careers into the tech industry?

Katie: I applied and got the job through one of the Get Me Hired events organised by Le Wagon with Softwire and I really enjoyed the vibe when the speakers talked about the company. While we might be eager to find a job, it’s important to remember what you are looking for in a job, and how it feels when talking to employees in that company as you would be working with them after you join, and believe in your sixth sense telling you it’s a go or no go! Having your family’s support and finding a boot camp with a schedule that suits you, either full-time or part-time, would also be really helpful.

While we might be eager to find a job, it’s important to remember what you are looking for in a job, and how it feels when talking to employees in that company as you would be working with them after you join, and believe in your sixth sense telling you if it’s a go or no go!