It is reasonable to say that no men will read this article becuase well, the word, ‘women’ is used in the title and as a female writer, they are unlikely to check it out.
Just like any financial blog, channel, or resource this is common.
If it is made, directed, designed, you get it, by a man, the audience will predominately be male.
That’s just how it works becuase of our assumptions and behavior.
We like people like us.
Go ahead boys, do what you please but in order to have more inclusivity and acceptance of a diverse team which in fact benefits a corporation tremendously as opposed to a bland, homogenous team, I would recommend taking 30 seconds out of your day to listen up.
Of course, the conventional wisdom and stereotypes since America was founded were that women would be housewives and the men would provide the disposable income to prepare supper.
Although we wish things would have changed dramatically by now similarly when the Flinstones said 2020 would bring flying cars in the 90’s, we were wrong, once again.
Yes, there is a rise in dad buns, convincingly because guys are more at home now in replace of wives in the workforce, people have more diversified portfolios with more than just depending on dad’s income, and more female founders, but besides that, the gender gap is ginormous and no one is doing anything about it besides advertisers.
If you read my previous article, we discussed the reasons why women don’t go into finance, but not why they really should.
According to figures published by Glassdoor, men accounted for 61.5 percent of degrees in finance.
And such numbers do not seem to be improving.
First off, who’s fault is it?
We love to take the blame for everything!
Well we can blame the men as we’ve done forever, but it is also up to us ladies to slash down those assumptions about the finance which include and are the main drivers to WHY WE DON’T PURSUE IT:
1) Scary
2) Too difficult because it deals with numbers and speaking with strangers a.k.a. clients
3) Loud, cramped, and packed on the trading floor
4) Men already dominate well
Why do we believe in these?
As a woman myself, I can attest to getting emotional.
I’ve certainly prevented this as I’ve naturally gotten older but it tends to be a common theme women cannot prevent.
But in all due respect, it is better to let go than keep inside.
Our hormones fluctuate and we have more things going on in our body.
I feel we can be highly emotional, too in our heads and not think realistically or holistically most of the time which leads us to make judgments and assumptions that finance is not right for us.
although we have specialized characteristics that men don’t seem to carry, these negatives can outweigh the positives.
Imposter syndrome is real.
Not just for ladies but also for men.
Everyone will have judgments.
It’s up to you to decide if you will let them rule you or not.
If you do, you are weak.
Don’t be that way.
Act as if you were online.
You act tough, beautiful, and confident online so don’t fake it in the real world.
Reasons Why Finance Is Best For Us:
Life Span
On average, women live on average by six to eight years longer than men today but this didn’t happen in the 19th century due to the reductions in infectious diseases especially across rich countries. This can be accredited to the biological advantage females are given. In English this means women tend to act, eat, live healthier lives, live in moderation, and value spending time with family, being outdoors, and relationships that all aid to happiness.
They work smarter not harder and life is not a game, they are more present and focus on value rather than the paycheck.
Loneliness is another risk factor for mortality with an increase in the likelihood of dying ranging from 26% to 32%. Men outwork themselves becuase they believe competition is the way to live.
I believe we should live by this slogan:
“Live to work not work to live”
Decision Masters
There is no doubt that women have to deal with a lot.
We won’t get into the specifics but there are common things such as period pains, giving birth, puberty, and hormones and needing to justify looking a certain way that all-cause literal and physical headaches along with metaphorical ones.
With this being said, we know how to delegate tasks and work efficeinctly.
We won’t spend hours on email if we have a baby to take care of and dinner to cook.
We would rather pay someone to have an enjoyable life and freedom to do work at our own pace.
Of course, there are strategic decision making men but they certainly don’t have to go through things to this extent, every month in some cases if you know what I mean.
We Have Different Intent
Not all, but most women are known to be compassionate, caring, and more lovable than men.
Prove me wrong and of course, I can be but that is why women are known as sweethearts and get flowers becuase we simply have that intent for someone else.
We want to add value and look to work for a different purpose than making money.
Life isn’t a game, it should be enjoyed every day.
We wake up to make a difference and support our family rather than making money to blow it all.
We Love Learning
If you don’t love learning, good luck becuase you will never know everything in life so get used to it.
Don’t worry, you won’t be in school forever but don’t expect to get out of it.
By the time one graduate, they are to read fewer books than in school.
Why should that change?
Although you may have a full-time job now and more responsivities, you have to put yourself first as well.
Why become an investment banker for 14 hours per day, tire yourself out, and ruin your mental, physical emotional health just for a 6 figure salary?
Men and women, you have to be realistic and understand that wasting your life is not worth it.
If you love to read, you have to find time to do it.
if you don’t, at least educate and expose yourself to new opportunities besides Excel.
make a living and save that money.
Happiness means:
-Having a good support system
-Loving what you do and not being forced to do it
-Enjoying the process of getting better and making mistakes
No wonder Finland and Denmark are the happiest countries.
They have the best government in teh world with free healthcare and education!
To get better at someone and really learn, you have to embrace challenges and the perfect time to do that is when you are younger becuase you have nothing to lose besides your time and your energy, which really isn’t much compared to how much you have left.
Congratulate yourself on failing.
It will pay off big time.
Myths to Debunk Getting Into Finance or Learning About It:
1) You do not have to be a financial math wiz
2) You have to be a great public speaker and be excellent with clients
3) Studied or majored in finance
4) Had parents in finance
5) Know people-even through networking will help you tremendously in any field, not required
Remember, all of these skills will be taught once you get hired.
Hiring managers are looking for someone personable, honest, reliable, empathetic, community and focus driven and cares about adding value and benefit to the firm.
If you are a close-minded specialist, open up!
Be a generalist.
Know a bit about everything not specific in 1 thing.
Believe it or not, that is hard to find in a person these days.
Don’t strive to be the smartest in the room because you won’t get as far as someone who is down to earth able to communicate freely and get things done without procrastination, hesitation, or being a ‘know it all.’
Now, this is not a debate.
Women and men have both their strengths and weaknesses with everything.
No one gender is stronger than the other just one doesn’t have to deal with a lot more than the other.
Regardless, women in the finance industry have no reason to back out and feel scared.
We are as qualified or can even be argued, more qualified for this industry where patience, grit, people, community, and value are key.