Hey there! I’m Bette Hochberger, CPA, CGMA. It’s #ThrowbackThursday, so I thought it’d be a blast to revisit a topic close to my heart from a couple of years back – my blog post about “Being a Woman In Finance“. The landscape has certainly shifted since then, and it’s quite the journey to reflect upon!
In all honesty, my time as a woman in finance has been more of a smooth sailing than a rocky ride. But, coming from a background where men outnumbered women, I understand my perspective might be a little different.
Just to let you in on a little backstory, I started at an engineering school where the male-to-female ratio was leaning heavily on the guys’ side. It’s a common picture in this field, really. But with my heart set on mathematics from the get-go, I naturally found myself gravitating towards these male-dominated arenas.
Here’s a fun fact for you—I must have been born under a lucky star because instances of outright sexism in my finance career have been few and far between. I won’t deny there could be hushed conversations behind closed doors but in terms of direct insults? Not so much. If anything, it’s been more of a macho posturing thing, a by-product of being in an environment where testosterone can sometimes hit peak levels.
But let’s clear the air here; the financial world isn’t a gloomy place to be. It’s like any other job, but with a lot more number crunching! If you’re not a fan of figures, perhaps finance or the sciences might not be your first love. As for me? I’ve been having the time of my life! Encouraging bosses and positive vibes all around. Here’s a golden nugget I’ve picked up along my journey: being a woman in finance, it’s essential to stay true to who you are. Embrace your uniqueness. Authenticity is your secret weapon that will carry you to places you’ve only dreamed of.
So here’s my rallying cry to all you ladies considering a career in accounting, finance, engineering, or the sciences: chase your passion! Don’t lose sleep over what the future holds. If you’re thrilled by numbers, finance, or scientific marvels, dive right in! Trust me on this, the glow of confidence that comes from being true to yourself and loving your work will rocket you beyond your wildest imagination. My own journey as a woman in accounting has been nothing short of an exciting adventure.
And you know what? I’ve noticed a beautiful trend – more and more women are stepping into the accounting field. Take my team, for instance, it’s all women, and they’re genuinely passionate about their work.
So, there you have it for this week’s #ThrowbackThursday. It’s been enlightening to look back on my past experiences, especially as my company keeps blossoming.
Stay safe, keep shining, and I’ll catch you next time!
