RIFKA ZIYARD
COLOMBO : The banking sector is one of the most vibrant industries in Sri Lanka. Many aspire to start their careers in the banking sector. Colombo Times spoke to Feroza Ameen who has over 3 decades of experience in the banking sector to understand her perspectives on managing multiple roles as a home maker and heading a business unit at one of the leading banks in Sri Lanka.
Feroza Ameen is currently the Head of Islamic Banking at the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC.
During a diverse and rich career in the banking sector spanning over 34 years she has been a Branch Manager, handled the Offshore Banking and Corporate Banking. She has also spearheaded the setting up the Islamic Banking Unit of the Commercial Bank.
She is a Fellow member of CIMA and has a Masters in Business Administration from the Post Graduate Institute of Management (University of Sri Jayewardenepura). She also has a BA in Economics ( University of Peradeniya) and is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka ,
She is also an Associate of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka where she was awarded a Gold medal at the final examination. Feroza is a member of the Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA Australia).
Feroza shared her views on key areas young women should focus on to achieve success within the corporate/banking arena. In Feroza’s view “it is important to secure the required qualifications whether they be academic or professional and sometimes more than one qualification is also advantageous as the competition is high”.
She further adds “At each stage in your career, you must carry out your functions diligently and feel free to ask the relevant questions so that you are continuously learning. Focus and arrive at the broader goal in your life and throughout the process set career make smaller achievable goals”.
Further she says that anyone who yearns for a successful career “should be determined and apply maximum effort in carrying out your daily activities and also be ready to accept new challenges. Have confidence do not let the criticism get you down, instead use it to improve yourself and most importantly be ready to learn from your mistakes. At certain instances, while you must be decisive when required you should have the ability to give in to another’s’ point of view and not stick to an uncompromising position. Communicate well with others and especially work together with your office team and adopt a friendly attitude.”
Work life balance is key says Feroza “You have to give adequate weightage to your role as a home maker and your career. The cooperation and support of your family is very important and assign time at home to spend with the children and/ or the spouse”.
Feroza shares her perspectives on the challenges faced by women. “Most obvious challenge is balancing home and the career, and with the pressures of the workplace effectively handling both is not easy. It is also difficult for women to get equal opportunities at work, and much effort is needed to forge ahead in this situation. Women are also getting subject to high stress and must find ways to deal with this. Further there is prejudice against women especially those who try to work in male dominated roles”
An advice Feroza would give to her younger self in relation to making career decision would be to “Plan and have a target as to up to what position you want to reach in your job. Be courageous and take some calculated risks such as accepting a new role. Speak up and be assertive, Don’t allow failure get you down”.
The struggles due to COVID-19 Pandemic are real. Feroza explains that one needs to be positive to overcome challenges “if you have been laid off, look for alternative ways of using your skills in this period. Even within your organization also look for any new opportunities. If you are working from home, make certain that you are productive and professional”.
As a home maker and also a career woman, Feroza says that one should not quit but should slow down a bit and take up only what one can handle. She explains “Try to build up an emergency fund and do not make extravagant expenses at this stage. Look after your health in general. Don’t panic and calm your mind so that you maintain your mental health. Always muster the support of family and appreciate their efforts”.
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Interviewed and compiled by Rifka Ziyard MBA, FCMA, CGMA, FTII, B Com
Rifka is the Director – Tax and Regulatory at KPMG.
