Your push won't be easy, stay the course and you can get it done

1. I am 32 years old, female who holds a degree in Accountancy and Financial Management Bsc Degree from the University of Sri Jawardenanpura and MBA from University Western Sydney Australia (completed the full course in Sri Lanka at ICBT).

I am part qualified in CIMA as well. I have 9 years of experience and hold a senior position of a property development company.

I wish to change the company since investors are not very keen to do any projects due to bad economic climate. I want to become a CEO of a reputed company. That is my ultimate objective.

I need to find a path way. Most of the finance jobs published asked for professional qualification which is lacking in my CV. In order to achieve my objective what steps do I have to follow? I have an infant and time is very precious for me and I travel 3 hrs daily up and down for work.

Either to Complete CIMA orGet a Marketing qualification (I am able to get exemptions due to MBA) or
Get a professional qualification in HR or
Do Masters in Project management or
Do CFA or
Do MBA specialize in Finance (conducted Chartered Institute in SL, could get exemptions)
Why I have suggested in finance qualification even though I already have, to make a pathway to my final objective.

Lisa
Via Email
Dear Lisa,

You face the classic trap of changing pathways to future success. However prior to answering your question I need to make a few assumptions, let me explain why, First you have not mentined what areas in the property development company you are heading, secondly you need to tell me what you are really good at and thirdly I see four focus areas in your pathway, they include finance, project management,HR and marketing options and finally you want to be a CEO.

I am also taking a wild guess that you started work in the property development company due to some family link or friendship network.

To reposition yourself in to a new career with a work life balance your core areas of consideration would include the following:

The type of industry you choose The type of functional specialism you want to be in Core skills you want to acquire. I need to highlight a few areas of best practice of the leadership role of a CEO,needs to be a balanced one having the right mix of Marketing, People, Operations, R&D and Financial and project management competency and these are hard areas, you also need to develop the softer areas which may include Time Management, Relationship Building and Negotiation skills to name a few .Ultimately you need to build your Leadership style which can be unique to each individual.

Taking a critical look at your questions I see three roadblocks:

Specialism in property development Limited to one company Recognition status of the financial qualification
My suggestion is a four step process:

Check for any exemptions you can get for the current qualifications where this would help you minimize reinvention of the wheel, for example the MBA you have is good enough to take you to the next level

There is a good in every difficult situation , where when one industry faces difficulty another is an emerging opportunity, look for related industry shift where the USP's are in place and your knowledge would help this company to leverage value

Start with a blank sheet, since you have the age advantage and already have the qualification you could set yourself a goal to hit the top at 35, this way you have time with the little one due less pressure

Based on this you can opt to finish CIMA or hop on to CIM where you would get exemptions for sure, make a decision on the industry and pathway and build the width and depth in your CV, the project management option can be add on based on your career life cycle.

One final thought you are spending way to much time on the road almost 15-20 hours a week on the road try to minimize this by moving closer even if it means renting out a place.

Your push won't be easy, stay the course and you can get it done.

All the best

n I have sat for my A/L's and waiting for my results. I prefer to get in IT field and become a Software engineer. I want you to advice which is the well recognized institute in software engineering in Sri Lanka and how much will cost me to finish whole course. And Can I get any exemptions for UK University after finishing the First year in Sri Lanka. Sir can you please answer my question in the 09.11.08 Sunday Times.

Sunredaran Via Email Dear Sunredaran,

I am indeed happy that you are planning your moves at this age, your focus on software or computer engineering are certainly going to find you the correct job, for example in IT, Mobile communications ,Gaming or Integrated areas provided you start specializing in attractive areas.

There are many qualifications options available in the country some recognised others not so, therefore you may need to select the best option based on cost, time and attractiveness. However I am unable to tell you exactly what qualifications or what institute you need to choose, that is for you to research and priortise. For example if you choose XYZ institute, you may need to do a foundation course and then move on to the school of computing and specialize ,such as a BSc in computing with specialization in software engineering. You could also transfer to UK universities based on recognition status.
You can log on to educationguidesrilanka.com and search for more information. Visit these prioritized options and also speak to your friends and specialists to select the best.

All the best

n I 'm 18 years old and my results are to be out in December. When I was at school I was involved in lot of Drama so I'm interested in doing some studies Film and Dram.

I need to know where I can Film and Dram studies or I wanted to do it in U.K University. Can you please suggest me where to start and which Institute / University to Choose?

Ruski Farrook Via Email Dear Ruski,

As I mentioned before, I am unable to recommend where you should exactly go to pursue your interest that is for you search and prioritize, where I would add to the final decision making logic. The starting point is to do your own research both locally and out of the country, you would agree that this important if you are passionate about it.

One question, film and drama is do with your acting career or do you want to build on your skills as a producer, director, writer or special effects specialists.

As a start there is international film school in Cebu, Philippines where you could start your research, the UK options are many and come at a price, the local ones lack the recognition status you require.
Do your research and write to me.

Failan