Photo by Mariano Kamp

By Kate Hwang

Lately I’ve just been learning a lot about what it means to be obedient in my work.  I feel like God has called me to my finance job, but all the things that I would identify myself as – Asian, female, introvert, mother, and Christian – make me feel like a fish out of water in my industry.  I’m constantly reminded of all the cards stacked against me, and recently I’ve been asking myself, Why do I keep going?  However, despite my doubts, I feel like God keeps telling me to be obedient to Him, and that through my weakness, He is glorified.  I don’t really know what that means in terms of my career, but I do feel a strong sense of calling, even when I don’t have it figured out yet.

Recently I read a New York Times article about women in finance trying to climb the corporate ladder, and a woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company said that her success was not determined by how good she was at playing the game, but rather that she played the game at all.  Her statement really encouraged me, because I often feel inadequate in an industry that requires a certain degree of political savviness and dominance to survive.  Her statement reminded me of the truth that while God has secured the battle for us, we still need to participate, even while the victory is not really coming from our own strength.

For me, the challenge has been to walk that fine line between my faith that God is strong in my weakness and my feelings of inadequacy knowing that everything about me is opposite of the typical person in finance.  Rather than always being so sure of myself, I’m learning to trust God amidst these feelings of uncertainty and keep up my courage to stay in the game.

Kate Hwang is Vice President at an investment and advisory firm in New York City, as well as mom to her 2-year-old son.  Kate grew up in New Jersey, attended New York University (NYU) studying Finance & Accounting, and has several years of experience in youth ministry, including Young Life.  She currently attends Metro Church in Englewood, New Jersey.

Interviewed by Joy Wong