From medical school to engineering to equity research: How a multidisciplinary background can be an asset in a financial career
Ana Siquera, CFA, a Board Member at CFA Society® Brazil, never set out to pursue a career in finance. As a teenager, she dreamed of working in medical research, and she only came to equity research after training as an engineer. Ana says her multidisciplinary background and resilience to change helped her in a male-dominated environment and advises younger women to communicate their ambitions and be aware of their strengths. Outside of the office, she says it’s important to focus on friendships and mental health.
Life is not a 100-meter sprint. Life is a marathon.
At the age of 14, I was dreaming to be a medical researcher because I fell in love with genetics. The turning point for me to transfer from medical school to engineering was a candid talk with my father. He told me that in Brazil, there was no funding for medical research. So if I decided to study medicine, it should be for me to treat people, not to do research.
When I changed from medical school to engineering, I discovered my resilience to change. Because this was a big one, and also my determination to study. You have to take a multidisciplinary approach. I was able to combine all my knowledge and also my previous experience.
Equity research was, for me, the most marvelous thing that could happen in my life. I worked my entire career in an environment dominated by men. It's very important for women to communicate about their ambitions. Believe in yourself. Invest time in self-awareness. It is very important for you to know what you like, what is good for you, and what are your strengths.
Mental health is very important. Never forget about the necessary balance between work and life. Friendship is the most important thing in our life. Friends are together with us in good times and in challenging times. Take time with your friends.
A letter to my younger self
What advice do you wish you had heard before starting your career in finance? In this series of personal stories, CFA® charterholders from different backgrounds discuss the insights they have gained during their career journey and the pivotal moments that shaped their professional paths. What would you write in a letter to your younger self?
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