Amelia Wong, Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment Partners, Talks Careers
Best advice I’ve been given…
Don’t ask, don’t get. When it comes to that job, that order, that raise, that sale… if you don’t ask for it, then you definitely won’t get it! If necessary, ask “what would a man do?”
I made my first dollar:
By being a kid, 20 cents in pocket money each week. In those days, it was just enough for a trip up the road to the dairy with my sister to get our favourite sweets.
The most rewarding part of my job…
Being able to help people make sense of their financial situation, and invest their money in a way that helps them to achieve their investment objectives, whether that be growth and return, a cash income to live on, or both. Money and finances seem to be a cause of worry and stress for many people. It’s not a subject people feel comfortable discussing openly (which is a pity because we’re all trying to figure out the same stuff!), and it’s hard for people to know where to go for good advice.
Life motto:
Smell the roses. Slowing down and appreciating all the good things we have in our lives.
My goals for 2019 are…
Move in with my partner (tick!). Professionally, start building my client base as an investment adviser – I joined Craigs last year after 18 years in investment banking and fund management in NZ and offshore.
The women who inspire me:
My nieces. They are so open minded and non-judgmental. They accept and care about people and all their crazy family members with all our quirks and flaws.
The gender stereotype I can’t stand:
Not being taken seriously because I’m a woman and I look young. I never had any trouble with this in New York; there, people take you for who you are, and they know not to judge a book by its cover.
The main challenge for women in business is…
The old boys’ club. Men like to do business with their mates, and it can be a real challenge even to find out about an opportunity or to be considered.
We need pay equality because…
Everyone deserves to be paid the same as someone else who does the same work to the same standard. It’s only fair, isn’t it?
Gender diversity in the workplace is…
Good. A real mix of backgrounds, experience, education, thoughts and views is even better. “Diversity” is the key word; hiring a woman into senior management or onto a board who has the same values and views as the man she replaces, is not diversity.
