Today we’re talking with Erica Peterson, the founder of Moms Can: Code.

When she became pregnant during her studies at West Virginia University, Erica was told that this ‘life choice’ did not fit with her career progression as a graduate student.

Instead of accepting that pregnancy and parenthood can hold someone back from professional achievement, Erica eventually created Moms Can: Code, a global community of moms who are learning to code and a training program to teach moms to code both online and in their local communities.

This is an important conversation about the role of women and parents in the (tech) workplace, and one that shows why it shouldn’t be a black or white decision between choosing to work or being there for your family. Enjoy!

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• [00:01:44] How Erica came to found Moms Can: CODE
• [00:07:03] What Erica did after receiving negative feedback about becoming pregnant during her graduate program
• [00:08:39] How difficult the decision was to leave her graduate program
• [00:10:11] How long it took Erica to apply for a new lab position
• [00:12:24] How long Erica thinks is the right amount of time to wait before going back to work after having a baby
• [00:16:05] What happened when Erica decided to take time off from the lab she worked at after having her baby
• [00:21:16] The Family Medical Leave Act and how it affects mothers
• [00:24:00] How doing science activities with her son and other parents and children helped lead to Erica founding Moms Can: CODE
• [00:25:52] How the culture affects the way employers think about family leave
• [00:36:51] Why being there for your family is as important as being there for your work
• [00:38:25] How Erica launched Moms Can: CODE
• [00:45:52] What happens when someone becomes a member of Moms Can: CODE
• [00:48:10] How the creation of the airbag demonstrates why women need to be involved in STEM
• [00:53:19] Why fathers need to take parental leave
• [00:57:54] The resource that Erica thinks will help people understand the need for a family-inclusive culture
• [01:02:53] How people can find out more about Moms Can: CODE