In recognition of Mother’s Day this coming Sunday, this week we’re featuring three women at Udacity and their experiences as mothers working in tech. At a time in which the news media can’t stop asking whether women can have it all, we’re excited to bring you the stories of three women in tech who balance their families and careers on a daily basis.
We shared Liz Keleher’s story
earlier this week. The next to share her experience is Catherine Gamboa, a course developer at Udacity.
Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? What do you do? How many kids do you have?
I live in Almaden Valley, which is in South San Jose. I have two sons and work as a course developer at Udacity.
How did you get started in tech?
I have always loved technology. When I was a kid I built a house for my Barbie and I spent most of my time adding lights (using flashlight batteries and bulbs) and running water to the house. I loved math and doing experiments, so when it was time to pick a college major I looked for one that let me do my favorite things. That narrowed the choices to art or electrical engineering. Electrical engineering won because there was more math.
After I graduated I got a job at a startup doing chip design. When that company failed, I worked for another startup, which also failed. I finally found a perfect job in Research and Development at an established company. I would like to say it was stable but we were bought several times during my time there.
How has your career evolved since then?
I worked in R&D for several years, until my first son was born, then I became a stay-at-home mom. Many years later, when my younger son started high school I started taking online courses in computer science from Foothill College. The courses were interesting and I got addicted to taking them. I took so many that the college called me up and said I took so many classes I could get an A.S. in Computer Science and that I had just won a scholarship for Java programming.
I have taught [my sons] to experiment and fail and learn. I believe I have also taught them that education is never ending, it is the springboard to reinvention and adventure.
This gave me the courage to get a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. I taught undergraduate EE courses to help pay for my degree, which made me realize I enjoyed teaching. So now I had to find a job that combined my three favorite things; math, experiments, and teaching, an especially tough goal, considering I had not worked full-time or in tech in 20 years. Luckily, I got hired at Udacity! The perfect combination of my favorites.
What does an ordinary day look like for you and your family?
When I was a stay at home mom everyone (except for me and the dog) was out of the house early and busy with their lives. Now it’s just the dog that stays home. My sons are both in college, have jobs, and are busy with their friends, so I rarely see them. I just see an empty fridge and cupboards, so I know they are eating.
What was it like to go back to work after having a baby?
I did not work until my sons started school. I had part-time jobs with either flexible hours or the same hours as my sons’ school schedule. So I was lucky, I did not have to juggle work and family life too much.
How do you balance your career and your family life? What’s hard, what’s not?
The hardest thing for me is finding time to be with my husband. He works long hours and gets home very late. We spend a lot of time texting each other and our sons. Thanks, technology!
Has being a mother affected your career advancement or opportunities? If so, how have you addressed that?
When my sons were born I chose to put my career on hold. It was hard to walk away from something I loved (and its salary), but I was lucky I could make that choice.
It was also hard because I had to watch other women who chose to work, continue to have success in their careers, while mine basically died. I always knew I wanted to go back to work, so to stay current I took classes the entire time I was at home. I have probably taken enough classes to earn several degrees in a variety of subjects.
If you’ve worked at companies of varying sizes, how does working for a startup compare to working at a larger, more established company?
I worked for a large, international company for five years and this is my fourth startup. I would say the biggest difference between a large, established company and a startup is seeing a future.
In a big company you know what career paths are open to you and they are clearly documented — choose one and follow the steps to career advancement. In a startup nothing is set, your future is made by you.
What do your kids think about your career (if they’re old enough to let on!)?
As children living in Silicon Valley my sons have designed their own websites and worked on startup ideas, games, and apps. I think they got the courage and the knowledge to attempt these things by watching me. They lived with me as I took classes and studied and prepared for the next phase of my life. I think it gave them courage to try new things.
What makes it all worth it to you?
When my sons ask me for advice on building a website or an app, I feel I may have accomplished something special. I have taught them to experiment and fail and learn. I believe I have also taught them that education is never ending, it is the springboard to reinvention and adventure.
What advice would you give to mothers considering a career in tech or to those in tech considering becoming mothers?
Tech is a good choice for working women because the hours tend to be more flexible and you can often work from home. The best part about the tech fields is there is so much information available that it is relatively easy to keep abreast of changes. This aspect is important if you decide to stay at home for a while because online classes and tech articles can help you keep your skills current.
We have one more story coming later this week — stay tuned! You can go back and read our first interview here if you missed it.
