Women BUILD motivates accounting student to reach her potential

Wakeem Bernard’s first year at Rutgers Business School-Newark was not what you see in the movies. Instead of experiencing the hustle and bustle of a college campus, she was glued to a computer screen, attending COVID-prompted virtual classes at home. At that stage of her college journey, she imagined settling for a comfortable nine-to-five role that didn’t push her boundaries.

A lot has changed in four years. Today, the graduating accounting major can easily speak in front of large audiences as a teacher’s assistant and president of Rutgers’ 200-member Accounting Society. Ready to expand her horizons, the 22-year-old sees herself becoming a vice president or CFO of a media and entertainment company someday. 

Bernard certainly experienced those qualities with Women BUILD’s rigorous curriculum, a two-year commitment featuring biweekly roundtables with professionals, a women’s leadership course, and peer mentorship. The ROI has been priceless, with Bernard cultivating leadership skills and learning to navigate gender biases in business.

“Especially as a woman, it’s probably one of the hardest things to get a seat at the table and make sure people are listening to you,” she said. “But the program helped me build my confidence and make me feel that I’ll be able to succeed in the business world.”

The aspiring certified public accountant has already achieved remarkable success, landing internships at firms like Audible, NBCUniversal, and PwC, where a position awaits her post-graduation. Bernard credits her Women BUILD mentor for challenging her to step outside her comfort zone, encouraging her to apply for the e-board of the Accounting Society and, later, the presidency to hone her leadership and public speaking skills. “When’s the next time you’re going to be able to manage a team?” her mentor asked her. “It’ll be years into your career, so why not get the practice in now when the stakes are lower?”

Now a Women BUILD mentor herself, Bernard shares similar advice to her mentee, stressing that self-assurance is critical in climbing the corporate ladder. “Especially when you’re starting in the business world, you don’t have much of a reputation nor that many skills compared to your senior,” she said. “So, the only thing you can bring to the table is an inquisitive mindset and the confidence to be there and make yourself known.” 

Clearly, Bernard has made herself known at Rutgers.

“When Wakeem joined the Women BUILD program, I saw the potential she had to stand out and shine in RBS and beyond,” said Hannah Salto, assistant dean of support, engagement, and leadership, who runs Women BUILD. “What sets Wakeem apart is her ability to lead while remaining committed to helping others…She isn’t just a leader by show; she’s a leader by doing,” Salto said. “I have no doubt she will make important contributions to her industry and community when she graduates.”

Reflecting on how far she’s come, Bernard brings it back to her enriching experiences at RBS. “I don’t know what type of person I would’ve become if I had not gone to Rutgers or if I had not taken advantage of the opportunities that were put in front of me,” she said. “Being surrounded by people who believe in me has motivated me to reach my highest potential.

-Elise McIntosh