Hack & Hustle: What’s it like to be a working mum in tech?
“I wonder how much sleep there is left to sacrifice?”
Ask any working mum, and chances are, she will affirm the age-old adage that it takes a village to raise a child. These days, our “village” of support at home may come in the form of the children’s grandparents, a domestic helper, or even infant- and childcare centres.
But at the workplace, what role do our employers have when it comes to supporting working mums? Specifically, working mums in the tech industry, which is known to be fast-paced and male-dominated?
In this podcast, listen to what three working mums in DBS’s tech teams have to say. From observing changes in the industry over a span of 40 years to becoming new mums amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the featured speakers share candidly about their struggles, advice for others in similar situations, as well as their experiences in DBS.
Featuring
- [Moderator] Archana Manjunatha, Executive Director, Head of CBG Platform Transformation
- [Speaker] Sai Tien Tan, Managing Director, Head of Core Banking, CBGT
- [Speaker] Feng Lin Foo, Software Developer, Core Banking Platform, CBGT
- [Speaker] Eugenia Liew, Tech Content Strategist, Group Strategic Marketing & Communications
Session highlights
- 0:00 introductions
- 0:58 the pressures of “doing it all”
- 2:40 juggling motherhood in a male-dominated industry for 40 years
- 7:31 on having a “village” of support
- 10:27 breaking the news of an unexpected pregnancy
- 11:35 why many women think twice about starting a family
- 12:35 being a mum and a software developer, and pursuing a master’s degree
- 14:49 sacrificing sleep and dealing with “mum guilt”
- 17:22 new opportunities after maternity leave
- 19:20 being a working mum, then versus now
- 22:51 the Covid-19 pandemic and working from home
- 24:25 being a manager to an expecting mum
- 27:22 the hybrid work arrangement at DBS (Singapore)
- 29:44 on asking for help at home
- 33:45 the sobering truth behind being a “superwoman”
- 35:03 on staying sane and having an identity for yourself
- 37:43 the importance of quality time and family routines
- 41:50 the role of men in supporting working mums
- 44:21 closing advice for other new working mums
