RMA: Women in sec finance must âfoster a connectionâ and âempowerâ themselves
09 October 2018 Miami
Image: Shutterstock
Women in the securities finance industry must âfoster a connectionâ between each other to âempowerâ themselves professionally and promote their interests, according to speakers at the 35th Risk Management Association Conference on Securities Lending.
In a panel, discussing women and diversity in the securities financing industry, speakers talked about the importance of networking, their driving forces in the industry, mentorship, confidence, and cognitive and observable diversity.
One speaker, reflecting on her career, said that her driving force has been to âlearn moreâ and âbe the best I can beâ.
She expressed the importance of taking risks in her career and expressed the hope that others in the industry would follow that ethos.
âIn terms of turning points throughout my career, there have been times that I have taken risks, thatâs when everything has paid offâ, she said, âtake calculated risks, even in times that they donât seem to be obvious.â
Another speaker discussed how one of the worst mistakes she made in her career was not taking the aforementioned advice.
She explained: âI worked hard and was good at what I did, but I didnât ask for new positions. Part of me thought somebody would notice my hard work and give me a new position.â
âYou need to speak up to let your managers know you are interested in other positions. To assume that will happen on its own is probably a mistake.â
Another speaker said that people should âchallenge the status quoâ and âask difficult questionsâ.
The speaker remarked that firms should be âcultivating an opportunity to allow people to step back from their day to day, think about what they are doing, and cultivate an interest in something new, then they can take the risk.â
For some people, mentorship and sponsorship is a good avenue to aid in gaining recognition.
One speaker explained the benefits of mentorship and sponsorship, especially for women and diverse candidates.
Another speaker said that she had benefited from two sponsors who had championed her career and helped her gain recognition.
Later, speakers discussed confidence and observed its importance when rising through the ranks, building and running a business, and in networking.
One speaker said that confidence is a requirement for success, while another shared the advice she received early in her career: âWhatever you do, just be confident, and donât screw up.â
Speakers reflected on the importance of preparedness in bringing about this confidence, and one panellist said that this confidence âdoesnât come easy for a lot of womenâ.
âFor me, confidence comes when I am preparedâ, she said, âit also comes when you are authentic to yourself and vocalise what your thoughts are.â
âIn order to be truly confident, you have to make sure nobody takes your power away. If you are hosting a meeting, you need to host it. Sit at the head of the table and stop people from talking over you.â
She concluded: âItâs difficult and hard to navigate, but if you approach it in the right way, it is instrumental in building your confidence.â
Another important part of continuing progression is ensuring you have a passion for your craft. A panellist said it was easy to lose this passion when working too hard.
One speaker said that passion is âcriticalâ in everything. She explained: âItâs all intertwined, itâs infectious.â
Speaking to a room of majority women as a growing movement of diversity and inclusion takes over the industry, the speaker said: âEveryone in this room is accomplished, and has probably had a tough time getting here. Itâs passion that drives you.â
In a panel, discussing women and diversity in the securities financing industry, speakers talked about the importance of networking, their driving forces in the industry, mentorship, confidence, and cognitive and observable diversity.
One speaker, reflecting on her career, said that her driving force has been to âlearn moreâ and âbe the best I can beâ.
She expressed the importance of taking risks in her career and expressed the hope that others in the industry would follow that ethos.
âIn terms of turning points throughout my career, there have been times that I have taken risks, thatâs when everything has paid offâ, she said, âtake calculated risks, even in times that they donât seem to be obvious.â
Another speaker discussed how one of the worst mistakes she made in her career was not taking the aforementioned advice.
She explained: âI worked hard and was good at what I did, but I didnât ask for new positions. Part of me thought somebody would notice my hard work and give me a new position.â
âYou need to speak up to let your managers know you are interested in other positions. To assume that will happen on its own is probably a mistake.â
Another speaker said that people should âchallenge the status quoâ and âask difficult questionsâ.
The speaker remarked that firms should be âcultivating an opportunity to allow people to step back from their day to day, think about what they are doing, and cultivate an interest in something new, then they can take the risk.â
For some people, mentorship and sponsorship is a good avenue to aid in gaining recognition.
One speaker explained the benefits of mentorship and sponsorship, especially for women and diverse candidates.
Another speaker said that she had benefited from two sponsors who had championed her career and helped her gain recognition.
Later, speakers discussed confidence and observed its importance when rising through the ranks, building and running a business, and in networking.
One speaker said that confidence is a requirement for success, while another shared the advice she received early in her career: âWhatever you do, just be confident, and donât screw up.â
Speakers reflected on the importance of preparedness in bringing about this confidence, and one panellist said that this confidence âdoesnât come easy for a lot of womenâ.
âFor me, confidence comes when I am preparedâ, she said, âit also comes when you are authentic to yourself and vocalise what your thoughts are.â
âIn order to be truly confident, you have to make sure nobody takes your power away. If you are hosting a meeting, you need to host it. Sit at the head of the table and stop people from talking over you.â
She concluded: âItâs difficult and hard to navigate, but if you approach it in the right way, it is instrumental in building your confidence.â
Another important part of continuing progression is ensuring you have a passion for your craft. A panellist said it was easy to lose this passion when working too hard.
One speaker said that passion is âcriticalâ in everything. She explained: âItâs all intertwined, itâs infectious.â
Speaking to a room of majority women as a growing movement of diversity and inclusion takes over the industry, the speaker said: âEveryone in this room is accomplished, and has probably had a tough time getting here. Itâs passion that drives you.â
← Previous industry article
RMA: All industry members should be present when drafting standard documentation
RMA: All industry members should be present when drafting standard documentation
NO FEE, NO RISK
100% ON RETURNS If you invest in only one securities finance news source this year, make sure it is your free subscription to Securities AVŔÇ Times
100% ON RETURNS If you invest in only one securities finance news source this year, make sure it is your free subscription to Securities AVŔÇ Times
