Clare Nasir – A fully qualified, Met office trained, weather forecaster with 20 years’ experience, Clare’s first love has always been weather and science. She has a degree in Maths, Masters in Oceanography and a Diploma in Environmental Policy. Today Clare presents on BBC North West and BBC North.
Find Clare Nasir’s books online here at Waterstones.
What were/are the biggest challenges you faced going back in to the workplace after children?
My biggest challenge was juggling childcare with a job that meant I was out of the front door at 4am. In my job (I was a weather presenter on GMTV), I spent three out of five days travelling around the country and living out of suitcase and hotels. It was pretty much impossible to combine the mother I wanted to be and sustain the career that I loved and had invested many years in.
How do you achieve your work life balance of career woman and mother?
I made a choice to shift my life/work balance from being a full time worker to part time (but welcomed work that was at the weekend as well). I also decided that it was the right time to develop a far more reaching and diverse career portfolio which would allow me to be at home more. I embarked on a diploma whilst I was pregnant and completed that by the time sienna was one – it was in international environmental policy, and this added weight and depth to my qualifications as a weather forecaster with a maths background. I also decided to set up my own health and well being network marketing consultancy – this again was a steep learning curve, but immensely enjoyable and something I continue to dedicate time to, when sienna is at school or in bed. Basically it fits in well with our lifestyle and has huge financial and personal development potential.
Alongside this I sought a publisher for my children’s books ( I had written 6 by the time Sienna was two, but needed an illustrator). After dedicated focus and persistence I now have a 6 book deal. My work with Rudling House has proved fruitful as I now accepted a role as editor within the company – focusing on children’s books with a strong educational element. Again this is work I can do around Sienna’s busy life.
If you could give your past self one piece of advice about being a working mother what would it be?
Imagine where you want to be in five years from giving birth – your perfect scenario and sculpt your career and goals towards that ultimate cause. Little steps every day.
Have your career goals and aspirations altered since becoming a working mother from that prior to your children?
Yes they have. Being a mum is by far the best and satisfying job in the world, and everything else I do (which obviously puts food on the table) works to complement this. Happiness is key whereas before I don’t think that factor was top of my list. I want sienna to have a mum who is caring, attentive, calm and considerate. My aspirations also are far more diverse that before, my interests in career satisfaction like in many areas.
What are your future goals in your career path in the next few years, what do you hope to achieve?
I will continue to pursue my writing ambitions, and work alongside Rudling House as an editor. I will build and develop my network marketing business which will give me the time leverage necessary to be a great mum to Sienna.
If you had the power to change one thing in the business market for working mothers, what would you change?
Job share is key for working mothers – there should be an allotted quota of roles within a company that meet this need. It’s important to realize that the balance of home and work life brings huge rewards for families.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Work on yourself first.
Question asked from Mother before you Marie Walsh Employment Solicitor and Partner – What was the most positive thing about returning to work?
Being with my colleagues and friends and realizing life is multifaceted…
What question would you wish to ask our next working mother who takes this short interview?
Does it get easier to return to work after child number 2, 3, 4??? – Clare Nasir
A big thank you to Clare Nasir for taking time out to interview with MMB Magazine. Why not read BBC and Montessori Nurseries founder Helen Gration and her working mum interview
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