Welcome, Uzoma! Could You Introduce Yourself and Share What Your Professional Background Looked Like Before You Took a Career Break?
I am an engineering data scientist for Caterpillar, working out of the Peterborough office in Cambridgeshire, England. In my role, I work with the engineering data systems doing data analytics to support different areas of the business from operational excellence to new product development. It is very exciting to be working on projects that have direct impact and make a difference for our customers.
Prior to Caterpillar, I spent 12 years at BlackRock and later Aegon in various business units, spanning roles from business systems analyst to developer. I have a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics.
Between leaving Aegon and joining Caterpillar, I took the year off to study for my master’s degree in artificial intelligence and machine learning at the University of Birmingham, England. Outside of work, my personal passions include music, singing, my faith, and my family.
How Long Was Your Career Break, and What Did You Focus on During That Time?
My career break was for one year. It was a difficult decision for me to make because I had a stable job at the time, but I knew I was at that point in my career where I had to upskill to take my career in the direction I wanted. So, I decided to resign.
During that year, I focused on my studies, which I must admit were quite intense. I also applied for and was offered a full scholarship for the master’s degree.
What Made You Want to Return to the Workforce?
When I took one year off work, it was with the sole intention of returning to the workplace immediately after I finished my master’s degree, better skilled and equipped to take on the next challenge. For me, returning to the workforce was always part of the plan.
What Was Most Important to You in a Potential Employer When You Began Looking to Return to the Workforce?
I was strictly looking for an employer who would give me the opportunity to practice what I had studied in my master’s program. With the way that the workplace had evolved following COVID-19, I was also looking for an employer who had a great culture and good work life balance.
What Was It Like Interviewing Again? What About Your First Day Back Working?
The interview was rigorous, as the role was a technical role. The interviewers were focused and asked the right questions.
I didn’t get in at the position I applied for; however, I was offered the role at the level of a returning professional which I accepted. Even though the level I was offered was lower than what I had applied for, I accepted the offer because I could see the prospects in both the role and the company.
My first day at work was relaxed. Two of us started on the day, so we shared notes and did the inductions together. The team was very warm and welcoming.
How Do You Find Work-Life Balance Now That You’re Back in the Workforce? What Support Systems Do You Have In Place to Help With That?
COVID forced many companies into the hybrid working approach, so I found that easing back into work was seamless, as Caterpillar embraced a hybrid working culture. As a mum of three, this helped a lot with balancing work and family. There was a huge improvement in the workplace I returned to after my master’s degree than the workplace I previously left.
What Did Your Employer, Manager, and Colleagues Do That Worked Well for You in Returning to the Workforce? What Role Did They Play?
My team was amazing. I had a mentor on returning to work, and he was my go-to person for any questions. That worked well and helped me tackle projects sooner rather than later.
What Could Have Gone More Smoothly in Your Transition Back Into the Workforce?
The transition for me worked well. The only area that could have been improved was getting my new user profile set up on all required systems.
Did You Have Any Imposter Syndrome When You Returned to the Workforce? And if So, How Did You Overcome That?
I wouldn’t really call it imposter syndrome. Mine was a case of “experienced, yet not experienced.” I already had over 10 years of experience in the workplace before I went to do my master’s.
But because my master’s degree was in a specialized field, which was a bit of an offshoot of my original career area, I was somewhere between an experienced professional and a new graduate. With time, I found my feet as some of my previous experience came in handy in my current role, while I still got the opportunity to grow my skills in a new area.
How Do You Leverage the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in Your Career Now?
Now I call myself an “engineer by induction.” Upon joining Caterpillar and getting to know about SWE, I immediately signed up and got involved to share experiences with fellow engineering professionals. I contested in the SWE local election at our Peterborough site and got elected to the Media and Comms post, as I thought this would be a good way to give back.
My manager also nominated me to attend the WE local conference in Munich, Germany, in April 2024. I submitted an abstract to speak at the Munich conference, but my abstract was not selected. I hope to speak at a SWE conference in the future to share my career story and encourage others.
What Would You Tell Somebody Who Is Considering Returning to Work, but Hasn’t Yet Made the Leap?
I would encourage the person to make the step. I would also offer to mentor or guide them in the process. Sometimes, people just need to speak to someone who has been through the same path, and that alone can allay their fears and give them the boost they need to take the first step.
Are You Looking to Reenter the Workforce? SWE Has a Variety of Resources to Help You on Your Journey, Including:
- Advance Learning Center ― Explore our specially-curated content to help prepare you for reentering the workforce. Upon completion of the courses, you’ll earn the Return to Work badge, which you can proudly display on your social media and email.
- SWE Mentor Network ― Tap into this exclusive members-only community for mentoring services from members from across the globe in your area of engineering.
- Return-to-Work Opportunities
- Career Center ―SWE’s premier online recruitment resource for leading companies in the engineering and technology field committed to advancing women in STEM, with 10,000+ job postings from more than 650 employers, including the world’s largest engineering and technology firms.
- Reentry Programs ― The STEM Reentry Task Force features a list of nearly 30 companies offering reentry programs.
Plus, be sure to sign up for SWE’s Reentry Quarterly Newsletter.
