Against the odds: Devi perseveres
Ashtika Devi took it upon herself to pursue her studies and start her own business after she felt her managers had underestimated her capabilities.
She said male managers that she had once worked for underestimated her and this motivated her to further her knowledge in the business field. “While working so many years in different organisations under male managers, I realised that being a woman I have far more competencies than some male managers who underestimate the work women can do,” she said.
“This prompted me to pursue my Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme at the University of Fiji . It is a big step for aspiring female managers and it also prepares us to enter the competitive business world of today.
Businesswoman
Today, Ms Devi is the owner of ‘Training & Consultants’- as a consultant partner.
She specialises in post COVID-19 business and finance advisory consultancy as well as human resources, recruitment and employment relations consultancy.
She said it was always her dream to be a businesswoman and it was encouraging to see that a lot of young women were already involved in the business field, continuously supporting their families especially in this COVID-19 era.
Ms Devi said not only was it encouraging to witness but it created a sense of thought that these young women had set their future ready.
Time management
Her biggest motivation to being successful is good time management.
“Women are now taking up the challenges and getting out of their comfort zone,” she said.
Ms Devi acknowledged the university for providing numerous opportunities for young women to take up.
She encourages young women to surround themselves with a network of positive-minded people who will help them in the business environment.