International Women’s Day series: Q&A with Ai Lin Goh
Name: Ai Lin Goh
Position: Corporate Accountant
1. Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?
I’ve been lucky that my workplaces have been supportive and I’ve never felt like being a woman held me back professionally. I’m incredibly grateful to the brave women and men before me who fought for and supported our equal rights.
2. What are you most proud of doing or achieving in your personal or professional life?
Moving to Australia when I was a teenager to further my studies. It was difficult to leave behind the life and people I knew to move to a whole new country but it helped me develop my determination and confidence. I am proud to have graduated from college as a Valedictorian and then going on to graduate from university with a Bachelor of Commerce before getting my CPA. It doesn’t stop here and I hope to achieve more goals I can be proud of.
3. What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
This might feel like the worst thing that’s ever happened to you right now but challenges are where you grow and you can turn it around into the best thing that’s ever happened to you.
4. Why do you think diversity in the workplace is so important?
It is so important in bringing together different perspectives and cultures for a well-balanced team. By embracing our differences, we can share the strengths and knowledge we have gained through our unique backgrounds and experiences. We are stronger together.
5. What is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?
Believe in yourself and be confident. You have good ideas to contribute that are valuable and they deserve to be heard.
6. How can we encourage more women to pursue entrepreneurship or senior leadership roles in their career?
It would be helpful to provide employees equal access to training and experiences to develop their leadership skills so that they can be the best candidate when a senior leadership role arises. We also need more flexible working arrangements to encourage highly skilled women who are also mothers to take on senior leadership roles.
7. What did you dream of doing when you were a child?
An accountant. I was encouraged to consider the occupation because I was good at math as a child.
