EMBA graduate Simone Koch on balancing studies and family
«Very few people would have advised me to begin further studies immediately after giving birth.»
Simone Koch is not one to shy away from a challenge: as a new mother, she began the Executive MBA in Digital Leadership at HWZ at the start of the year. In this interview, she shares how she balances her roles as a mother, leader and student, discusses the parallels she sees between motherhood and leadership responsibilities, and talks about reasons that might discourage women from pursuing further education.
Testimonial · August 13, 2024
Simone, you started the Executive MBA in Digital Leadership in February. The first of three semesters is now complete. How are you feeling? Are you enjoying the summer break?
Yes, I am enjoying the short summer break. As so often, I find myself torn: on the one hand, I look forward to learning and discovering new things, while on the other, I lack the time to pursue all the stimulating new topics.
You have been a mother for about five months. What inspired you to start an EMBA programme as a new mum?
It has been ten years since I left ETH, and for some time now I have felt the urge to sit in a classroom again and learn something new. It took me a while to work out which type of further education would suit me and my current stage of life. Now, my desire to have children and my wish to continue my education have coincided, and I did not want to postpone either any longer.
You are the team leader for climate incentives at Renera AG, a company specialising in supporting and promoting the energy transition. How do you balance the demands of being a mother with the challenges of your studies and your professional career?
I try to experiment as much as possible, rather than declaring something impossible from the outset. Very few people would have advised me to begin further study immediately after giving birth. Now, many things have worked out for the best, and I can say that so far it is going very well.
It is worthwhile to experiment in order to discover what is possible and what is not. At the moment, my greatest challenge is finding enough focused time to allow for the mental shift between being a mother, my job, and further study. If I try to do too much at once, the day often ends with a sense of frustration, as I feel I have not met the needs of my child or lived up to my own expectations. For this reason, I try to set aside specific times for particular activities, while also maintaining the necessary flexibility to adjust my plans if things do not go as intended.
What role do your partner and family, as well as your employer, play in the context of this further education, and how do they contribute to your flexibility?
It was crucial for me that those around me supported my decision. In the first six months, my partner took several days off and accompanied me to HWZ so that I could breastfeed. Siblings and parents occasionally come by to help with childcare, giving me a few hours of focused time.
HWZ provided us with a room where we could spend time together as a family and assured me that I could defer my studies for a year if motherhood proved more demanding than expected. My employer is supporting me financially and encouraged me to take this step.
In a LinkedIn post you published in the spring, you mention that you see parallels between motherhood and leadership roles. What exactly are these parallels, and how do you apply these insights in your everyday life?
Fundamentally, I believe that both roles can enrich each other; however, career and motherhood are often treated as being in competition. In this LinkedIn post, I discuss the role of being a role model. This is particularly central in the parent-child relationship. Children imitate us and, in doing so, hold up a mirror to us without compromise. I also consider it equally important to present a coherent approach within the team, as this builds trust.
What advice would you give to other women who find themselves in a similar situation and are also considering embarking on a demanding further education programme?
Fancy giving it a try? Then go for it! Ask yourself: what could go wrong and what would the consequences be? What will you do if things do not go as planned? Do you have people who could support you if needed?
We can see it in our own figures: especially at the level of continuing education, there are still fewer women than men. How do you personally perceive this imbalance, and what reasons do you see for it?
Personally, I am not particularly aware of this imbalance, as I do not categorise people as men or women, but simply see them as individuals. I believe the reasons for this are varied, and I have not looked into the matter closely enough to make a qualified statement. At present, I do feel that becoming a parent places far greater demands on me as a woman than on my husband. That is probably one of the reasons. It certainly takes determination and courage to return to professional life after childbirth, with all the challenges and joys that motherhood brings.
Have your own experiences changed your perspective on the professional (further) development opportunities available to women? If so, how?
No, my perspective has not fundamentally changed. Everyone needs motivation, perseverance and commitment to turn ideas and visions into reality, and for women this may require even more. An environment that encourages and supports you is a great help in this.
Simone, the summer break will soon be over and the new semester begins at the end of August. Which topics or aspects covered in class are you particularly looking forward to?
We have just completed a 360-degree evaluation. I am looking forward to the analysis and the coaching topics that will arise from it. I am also looking forward to the TEDxHWZ event in November, which we are organising as a study group.
