MWP CAREER SPOTLIGHT
By Iesha Ismail, Content Coordinator at MWP
Planning for your next career move can be daunting, especially if you’re pivoting. Where do you even begin as a Muslim woman entering a new industry?
That’s why we’re starting a new series, “How She Got There” where our MWP team shares insight into how they found success in their career path and what they’d share with Muslim women like themselves who want to do the same.
Today, we’re speaking with Aysha Shaikh, Head of Finance at MWP, and an Audit Associate II at BPM LLP. Shaikh shares how she pivoted to Accounting pretty unexpectedly and why it’s important not to count yourself out when pursuing a new field.
1.What field did you start in, and what field are you in now?
I started in the field of healthcare, specifically Nutrition and am now in Public Accounting as an Auditor.
2. How did you pivot fields and what was the biggest challenge? What were the skills necessary to break into a different field?
My pivot from one field to another was very unexpected. It came about through a part time job as an Administrative Assistant for a startup. Like many startups people tend to wear many hats and help out where they can beyond their job description. So, naturally I did the same as that was the company culture.
The Administrative Assistant job quickly turned into an Accounting position after I helped out for a bit in that area and my talent to quickly grasp the concepts was recognized. The biggest challenge was being able to adapt and quickly learn new skills needed to succeed within my new role. I was given the opportunity to go back to school for Accounting to fill in my gaps of the textbook knowledge. In a way, I had a very “backwards” way of breaking into the field. I received hands-on job experience before spending years grooming my skill set for my Accounting position. It happened that way simply because my talent was recognized.
3. What advice would you give to an MWP who wants to pivot in Accounting?
Be open to learning at all times and embrace your gaps of knowledge with curiosity.
4. Best first tools/resources to start?
Google and utilize Temp Agencies to get your foot in the door. Don’t chase the money yet, chase the knowledge, the skills, and the network. The money will follow.
So how did Aysha get here?
She entered a field through a partly-related part-time position, where she took the initiative to learn about the field she was interested in. Then she demonstrated her prowess in that field and was offered a position and support for further education in that field.
If you’d like to connect with Aysha to learn more about her journey, go here to check her out.
Stay tuned for more career advice from the MWP team in industries from tech to graphic design to healthcare and more!
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