Many of us think our dad is the best out there. None of us are wrong.
My dad is a 6’7” goofball who loves to empty the dishwasher at 5:00 a.m., blame things on the dog, and sing songs that he wrote the lyrics to. Despite his (questionable) quirks, he is the supportive, challenging, and strong father whose influence led me to my career at Plancorp.
Recently, I’ve given more thought to the role my father played in my life and career path to financial services. In talking to other Women’s Initiative members, we started noticing a theme: our interest in the field was generally a result of our parents’ encouragement to forge our own paths in our career pursuits. Whether you actively have career conversations with the children in your life or not, they follow your example and attitude toward career opportunities more than you might think.
The vast majority of financial industry professionals (77%) are men1, largely attributed to the fact that finance and math have traditionally been viewed as “male” subjects, while industries with a more nurturing perception (nursing, teaching, etc.) are seen as “female” career tracks.
More and more, we hear about how there are more men than women in finance and the struggle to change the trend. As someone who doesn’t fit the stereotype, it is easy for me to reflect on why the trend didn’t quite catch me.
Here are three lessons my dad taught me when I was young—and why I can attribute my career in finance to him.
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Play like a girl, and be proud!
My dad is a brave man. He always volunteered to coach my little league teams, chaperone my field trips, and brush my tangled hair. Growing up in a small town, most of our extracurriculars were sports – dominated by the little boys. In kindergarten, my dad and his friends decided to get their kids together and start a co-ed basketball team. The boys and girls all ran the same drills and were expected to play together as a team. It turns out, the boys were faster than the girls in windsprints, but during scrimmages, the girls often worked better as a team and won.
My dad (and mom) – it was definitely a team effort – never treated me differently than any of my male peers’ parents treated them. My dad emphasized that it was important to him and my mom, “that they let my voice be heard – and give me a strong sense of what I was capable of doing.”
Teaching young girls in your lives that they are important and to embrace their unique strengths is one of the greatest things you can do for them. Not only are young women and girls capable, they often approach things differently than their male peers. Instilling this confidence sets them on a path to being proud of playing like a girl!
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Not sure if you’ll like it? Try it!
By no means would I describe myself as overly adventurous, but I would credit my willingness to try new things to my father. From fried gizzards to rock climbing and rappelling, my dad was there cheering me on each step of the way.
I asked my dad why he thought I ended up with a career in a male-dominated industry like finance when my mom had a successful career in community health and nursing. He thought maybe it had to do with my involvement in extracurriculars like FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). He said he thought “something just clicked” when I joined the group. Not to say that my dad is wrong… But, I think he is missing the key factor – his actions. My dad pushed me to try anything in which I had any interest – no matter how random my idea. Growing up, I don’t think I ever thought anything was out of my reach or impossible.
As cliché as it may sound, young girls need to be taught ‘they can do anything they set their minds to’. It is that simple. Encourage the young women in your life to explore subjects traditionally pushed toward their male peers. Think: finance, computer science, engineering, etc.
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It’s okay to want to fit in… but fitting in isn’t a measure of success
My dad admits he wanted me to fit in at school and with my peers. However, as most kids experience, there were more times than not when I didn’t fit in with the ‘cool kids’. When I didn’t fit in like he had hoped, my dad embraced my quirks. As a child, I was out-spoken and stubborn. The word ‘bossy’ was often used to describe me (which no little girl should ever be called!). Those personality traits sometimes isolated me from my peers.
Instead of trying to change my hard-headedness, my dad embraced it. I distinctly remember my dad telling me – as I prepared to leave for college – to do whatever it was I was passionate about in life. “If you want to study business,” he said, “do it.” “If you want to have a career in finance and economics, go for it. I have no doubt that if you say you’re going to do it, you will and you’ll do it successfully.” Spoiler alert: I did it!
When a young girl is told by her role models that she can and will be successful, it is often a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I never have doubted or questioned the support of my family in my pursuit of a career in finance; therefore, the challenges I (along with other women) face in the industry are much less intimidating. Emphasize that the young women in your life can be successful no matter what they choose to pursue.
I grew up knowing I could pursue whatever I wanted, and I would have the support of my dad. Maybe, that’s why I ended up in a career where historically women have been and continue to be vastly underrepresented. No matter the reason, I have no doubt my dad had a major role in teaching me there are no gender limits to what I can accomplish. All I can ask is that this Father’s Day you consider the major role you have in your daughter’s, granddaughter’s, niece’s life and encourage them to dream big and find something about which they are passionate – that may even be a career in finance!
Lastly, thank you, Dad! I couldn’t have done it without you!
1Source: CFP Board
Disclosure:
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and should not be used as investment, tax, legal or accounting advice. All investing involves risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors.
This post was written by a member of the Plancorp Women’s Initiative, which strives to advocate for clients and women in the community by addressing topics specific to their financial lives. For more information about the Women’s Initiative and how you can get involved, email sara@plancorp.com or visit the Plancorp Women’s Initiative page.
