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Moving into the Learning and Education function gave me a lot of early responsibility and created network opportunities with partners regionally and nationally. The position helps you ‘market’ yourself and provides opportunity to make an impact. This experience got me on the global team doing learning and education quality reviews — this was a tremendous learning experience and also expanded my network. Being mobile quite early in my career helped me develop a flexibility in adapting to new circumstances easily.
Becoming a partner
I became a partner in the year 2000 at the age of 33. Many of my peers asked me whether I was upset that this was later than some other candidates — my answer has always been ‘no’. I took a conscious decision to have my first child in an environment where I could do my job easily and succession planning was under my control. I have never looked back.
Becoming a partner has always been a career goal for me. There were some times along the way when I thought the firm was too ‘male’ to allow this to happen but I was proven wrong as the discussion was held with me when I was six months pregnant.
Balancing work and life responsibilities
I work full time but use my time flexibly, working from home whenever needed. I also ‘swap’ time to make sure I am there for important school events and then put in a ‘second shift’ late at night when the family is sleeping. |
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Anita Stemmet joined the South African firm in 1989 after completing her Honours in Accounting and Auditing at the University of Stellenbosch. Since 1995, she has been responsible for the learning and education function for the Western Cape region. In 2000, she became the first female assurance partner in the Western Cape region. She is also responsible for PwC South Africa’s women in PwC initiative and its programme – A.W.A.R.E. – for the retention and career development of women.
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