Women in Finance: 4 Wonder Women Share More
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” Opening a feature for International Women’s Day with this powerful quote from Michelle Obama seemed apt.
Credit: Unsplash / That's Her Business
International
Women’s Day (IWD) is a day for us to come together and celebrate the
achievements of women – social, economic, cultural, and political. This 2022, 8
March is a day to examine our biases. The campaign theme for this year is
#BreakTheBias – it’s time for us to take a look at the biases against women
that fuel inequality.
From juggling multiple roles, to going beyond our
familial roles as mother and wife, these four women – our very own colleagues –
we spoke to have certainly blasted past barriers to achieve success.
What is success to you?
Vivi: Success is just being able to do what you want to
do, and also be able to give back to the community.
Sara: For me, success is defined as freedom and control
over my life. That means that I have the financial capability to make the
purchases that I want, knowing that it doesn’t affect anybody else’s life.
Credit: Unsplash / Ian Schneider
Li Mei: For me, success, simply put, is just six letters –
it’s I-M-P-A-C-T. I think no amount of wealth or income generated would be
meaningful without leaving an impact on the people around you.
Lydia: For me, success means having peace and happiness in
key areas such as career and family relationships.
Who were your female role models growing up?
Sara: I really like women who take charge of their lives,
and they’re powerful in their own careers. For instance, when I came onboard to
Great Eastern, I actually saw a lot of 女强人 (“successful career women”). They look like they
‘wear the pants’ – they don’t necessarily have to, but they have this aura with
them that says, no matter what you throw at them, they can handle it.
Credit: Unsplash / Hello I'm Nik
Lydia: My mum is one
that I cherish the most. Her kind spirit gives me room to grow, to be
comfortable in my own skin, and to develop my own resilience. These are
important values that I wish to impart to my own girls, because life has many
ups and downs. And to overcome these, our desire for personal success must be
greater than our fear of failure.
Did you have any difficulties transitioning
from school life to working life?
Vivi: Actually, no –
because I was already working as a freelance tutor while studying. So, I guess
I just had more time [when I shifted to working life] because I didn’t have to
study.
Credit: Unsplash / Andrew Neel
Sara: For me yes,
there were a few difficulties. School life and working life, it’s very
different. The major difference is that you have to be very accountable, and
you have to be really responsible for all your actions, especially in my work.
Because my work involves planning for other people’s
lives, and finances. So, I have to make sure that I try not to make any
mistakes if possible. Because making mistakes here really has consequences,
compared to school.
In school if you make mistakes, in the next exam
you’ll just try not to repeat it. But here, you don’t get second chances, you
have to make sure you get it right.
Do you have any advice for young women and/or
your children as they start out in life?
Li Mei: Number one, it’s
important to be humble. Why is it important? Because that’s the only way you’re
teachable. That’s the only way you can learn from the wisdom of others, from
all walks of life.
Second, it’s important to put in the hours – no empire
is built in a matter of days. So, put in the hours, and I am very sure that
opportunities will come, doors will open up for you.
The last tip that I can share – it’s important for you
to find that one thing that truly inspires you, that one thing that truly
motivates you. That one thing that you’re so passionate about, that every day
you wake up being excited for work!
Credit: Unsplash / Brooke Lark
Vivi: For young women,
you need to be very proud of what you’re doing. You need to be very sure of
yourself, and no matter how male-dominated or female-dominated the industry is,
you should just be you. Because when you do you, people know and people will
appreciate.
Sara: You need to be ambitious. We lose ourselves once we decide that fate is our fate, to just live that kind of ordinary life. We can take charge and decide our own fate.
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As Serena Williams says, “Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another. We're strongest when we cheer each other on.”
Credit: Unsplash / Denys Nevozhai
Let’s work
together to empower and inspire more women to soar past biases and achieve
greater heights!
Written by:
“Dream big and keep your head in the clouds, but plan well and keep your feet on the ground.”