For every job vacancy advertised in South Africa, around 92 people apply. In order to stand out in this highly competitive landscape, graduates need to make sure they demonstrate skills over and above what’s written on their graduation certificate, say experts.

The financial services industry has a reputation for being a male-dominated space. International research shows that, although 90 percent of financial services company executives indicate a commitment to gender diversity, in practice, only 19 percent of top executives are female. Four women in the South African industry provide their perspective and offer advice for young women hoping to enter this exciting and fast-paced environment.

In the financial services industry, as seniority level increases, diversity declines. In 2019 Women’s Month, InvestSoc – a UCT student society – and UCT’s African Institute of Financial Markets and Risk Management (AIFMRM) convened a panel discussion of some leading women in the financial services industry to unpack the truth behind the numbers and explore what can be done.

The role of financial services is to keep the lifeblood of an economy flowing efficiently to encourage economic growth and stability. Supplying the industry with world-class talent is a necessary prerequisite for the health of the system.

From addressing climate change to adjusting interest rates, just about every job, in every industry, is dependent on technology – and those who understand it. For this, mathematical proficiency is a crucial prerequisite.