At the start of my career, banking was an extremely male-dominated industry. My initial perception of bank managers was that they were all male, of a certain age, and enjoyed a game of golf. This didn’t worry me per se, nor did it deter me from entering the profession.
- 'Wake up and recognise that people have value — and you need to pay for it,' argues specialist finance broker on topic of diversity
- 'Success isn't driven through being male or female or whether you have a specific qualification or degree'
- 'When I first started my career, I felt I had to work harder and smarter to stand out'
At first, I didn’t go into banking with the goal of becoming a bank manager. However, as time went on, I’d observe people in other jobs and think to myself, ‘I can do that’. With this mentality, I pursued my next career goal and climbed the ranks. There was never a plan and, at that point, I wasn’t even aware of sponsors or mentors — which, in hindsight, would have been an invaluable resource.
For women who may be considering a career in banking, my advice would be to learn from those who you truly respect and value, and always remember to believe in yourself.
Use networking to your advantage and create a select group of people you can trust and rely on; quality not quantity is key. The industry is very different now and there is a place for women at all levels; if you want it, you just need to go for it. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.
Are you a woman in the financial services industry keen to get your voice heard? Contact [email protected] - we would love to chat!
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