Mums in Tech ft. Bushra Zafar
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Bushra Zafar, former Account Manager at Dell, now working on starting a mother centred career coaching business.
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?
Hi, I am Bushra. My most recent role was that of an Account Manager – Dell Financial services. I was in the role for a little more than 5 years before I got impacted by the 5th round of layoffs. Prior to that I had worked in HR for about 10 years in various industries.
If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
Navigating the fast-paced world of tech while simultaneously orchestrating the equally demanding, yet infinitely more precious, world of motherhood.
“The RTO mandates and culture shift that has taken place over the past year has put immense pressure and made it very difficult to balance work-life.”
How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?
Finding balance between career and motherhood is about priorities. Some days work takes the lead, other days family does, and I have learnt to accept that. Setting boundaries, asking for help when needed, and giving myself grace has been crucial. At the end of the day, it’s about being present where it matters most.
What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
The changing work culture throughout the tech industry. The RTO mandates and culture shift that has taken place over the past year has put immense pressure and made it very difficult to balance work-life.
“Its crucial to have an employer who understands that working mothers are an asset for their workforce.”
What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
As a mother of a kindergartner and a toddler, I have certainly mastered negotiation skills, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. This has certainly helped me develop more patience and have better conversations at work while overachieving sales targets. If you can handle a toddler meltdown, you can handle any work crisis!
When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
The biggest help when returning to work would have been support and flexibility without fear of penalisation. Its crucial to have an employer who understands that working mothers are an asset for their workforce.
“Employers seeking to truly support working mothers should prioritize flexibility and understanding. This means offering adaptable work arrangements, such as remote options and flexible hours…”
What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?
Employers seeking to truly support working mothers should prioritize flexibility and understanding. This means offering adaptable work arrangements, such as remote options and flexible hours, coupled with a culture that acknowledges and respects the unique challenges of balancing career and motherhood.
Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
You belong here, and you don’t have to choose between being a great mom and having a thriving career. Set boundaries, embrace flexibility, and don’t be afraid to ask for support. The tech industry needs your perspective, resilience, and innovation so keep going, and know that you’re not alone in this journey. Never settle for less, know your worth, and always remember that a great employer will always treat you right.
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