When I was in high school, I thought I would become an accountant. I loved numbers, mathematic, business administration. And what was so convincing in these topics was, that the rules and the results were always or at least most of the time clear and unambiguous. I still love numbers, but I realized that I have a lot more talents. 

After five years in high school in a girl-only class I went to university. In one of my first statistics exams, I got an excellent grade. The professor, who returned the exams personally, called me up as “Mr.”, obviously assuming that such great work can only be delivered by a man. He was irritated when I stood up and I was too. But it took me another five years to realize the full negative impact of gender stereotypes. It happened then at the University of St. Gallen, where the Professor of the institute told me: “Forget it: it is not possible for a woman to have a successful career and a family at the same time.” I did not believe him and today I am exactly where he was.

Go for your dreams! You need to be passionate about what you do and know your strengths. But also listen carefully and take counter-realities into account. Build a strong network with people who follow the same vision as you do.