The Analytical Mind
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog that highlights stories of black women’s struggles and success.
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By Hadiatou Wann | 03/22/19
Every individual has a skill that can benefit the workforce. Some have a creative mind, while others like Aminata Bah have an analytical mind.
Whenever a teacher asks students to solve a complicated math problem, as you glance across the classroom, you could see the fear in many students’ eyes and the drip of sweat from their sweaty palms. Aminata is one of those students who never sweated bullets when it came time to solve mathematical problems. In fact, she loved numbers!
Aminata is a Brooklyn College alumni and CPA (Certified Public Accountant).
She started out as an Auditor at Eisner Amper LLP, then got three offers from the big 4 accounting firms (Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte). She first chose to work for Ernst & Young because they were willing to pay what she asked for.
“After 2 years, I left and went to work for PricewaterhouseCoopers. But later, I realized that audit and the corporate culture at the big firms were not for me so I went to Miron—a private company which has a flexible and family oriented culture,” she explained.
Aminata currently works for Miron Enterprises as an Accounting Manager, where she has the opportunity to work in many areas of the business and travel international. “I love love love where I work,” she said enthusiastically. She started out as a Senior Accountant, and within 2 years was promoted as a manager of the Finance department.
Today, she wakes up excited to go to work because she loves where she works. Few years back, she was “miserable” while working as an auditor. If you hate your current job, you can host a pity party, or do what Aminata did. She took matters into her own hands and applied for a different position and moved to a different city.
“It is very important to do what you love at an environment that fits your personality. Your work makes up a large part of your life and you want to make sure you are happy. Don’t choose a job solely because of the money or prestige of the company,” Aminata advised.
Marie T. Toure and Aminata have been friends for over a decade. Here's her impression of the accountant: “Aminata is one of the most committed and disciplined person I know. I remember how she would spend hours every day to study for her CPA exam. Even on her due date she went and took her final exams. Overall, Aminata is a go-getter, motivated and loving. She is practically all the good things you can think of in a person.”
Every employee plays a role in the work place. Some await to be told what to do and how to do it, while others embrace the challenges that may come with critical thinking.
“I don't like to be micromanaged. I want you to tell me what you want and let me do what I want to do,” the introverted accountant revealed.
Aminata divorced her husband years back and raised her son on her own. Divorce can take a big toll on many women's confidence. But if you know your worth and have a plan B, you can get through it. She shares that the reason she was able to raise her son as a single parent was because she had a supportive mom and was self-efficient.
Whether single or married, her personal advice to every woman is this: “You have to make sure you can provide for yourself. As women we need to have dreams that goes beyond the kitchen and raising kids. We must engage in activities that help us grow personally and professionally.”
Aminata is already planning ahead of time to secure her furure. She is investing in real estate in the United States and in Guinea, Conakry (her homeland). She also plans on one day using her resources to make a difference in the education system back home. For the moment, she is realistic. She says, “you can not give someone money if you don't have money.” Not that she doesn't have any money, but clarifies that in order to help others, she must first make sure that she is financially stable.
Aminata's success story is a testimony that life doesn't end after a divorce. If you have your priorities in order, you can always pick up where you left off, and still manage to excel in your professional life.
Welcome to Aminata Bah’s World
Photo credit: Aminata
“You can not work on other goals and neglect your health. Working out is not only good for your health. It is also good for productivity.”
Photo credit: Aminata
“When you do too many things, you end up doing nothing.”
Photo credit: Aminata
Aminata enjoys travelling, listening to 2-3 audiobooks per month (preferably nonfiction), and trying new things
“I love learning the ins and outs of a business and being able to see how it is performing. ”
Photo credit: Aminata
“If you want to achieve anything, you need to have a routine.”
Photo Credit: Aminata
“I don’t like to be put in a box.”
Photo credit: Aminata
Aminata and her son at Universal Island of Adventure in Florida (Jan. 2019)
“I want my son to know that we are all responsible for our own happiness and success in life. Pain and obstacles are all part of our growth process so he should embrace it and live life wholeheartedly.”
Photo credit: Aminata
“I believe in calling things into existence.”
Connect with Aminata:
Facebook: Ami Bah
Instagram: @optimized.living
Email: Aminatabah87@gmail.com
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