Dreams don’t always go as planned. Sometimes, when one door closes, another unexpected one opens. For Heidi Icamen, Certified Accounting Technician, that closed door was her dream of becoming an interior designer.
“When I realized I couldn’t pursue interior design because of the cost, I thought my options were limited,” Icamen tells Financial Adviser PH. “But accounting became the path that completely reshaped my life.”
Today, Icamen is a Senior Accounting and Finance Specialist serving global clients, building a career she never imagined but is proud to call her own.
From interior design to accounting
Heidi’s shift into accounting began with practicality. A close friend suggested she consider accounting technology, a field with lower tuition costs and clearer career prospects.
She enrolled at STI College Fairview in the Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology program and gave it everything she had. “We were the last batch of students in the program,” she recalls. “Knowing it was a one-time opportunity, I gave it my all.”
Her big break came in the summer of 2017, when her school partnered with the National Institute of Accounting Technicians (NIAT) to offer a bookkeeping certification. Heidi passed with high distinction. That milestone pushed her to pursue more certifications and, eventually, U.S.-based clients—an opportunity that set her apart from her peers.
Breaking into global opportunities
After graduation, Icamen’s career moved quickly. She gained early experience at IBM, before joining CareLinx, a U.S.-based healthcare company. Her certifications gave her a competitive edge.
“They accelerated my application process,” she says. “I stood out even to international employers.”
Later, she landed a role with a client of EMAPTA, a leading offshore staffing provider. Her trajectory was steady: from Order-to-Cash Associate, to Payroll Specialist, and finally to her current role as Senior Accounting and Finance Specialist. Each step, she says, was built on persistence and the willingness to adapt.
Turning challenges into strengths
Her pivot into accounting wasn’t without struggle. Heidi admits the early years tested her resolve. She had to master complex processes, adapt to corporate culture, and work night shifts—all while earning too little to fully support her child.
“It was difficult at first,” she says. “But over time, I used everything I learned to my advantage.”
Those hardships became her training ground. Instead of being discouraged, she drew lessons from every obstacle—lessons that now fuel the resilience and problem-solving she brings to her clients.
What really keeps her motivated
For Icamen, passion doesn’t come from big paychecks. It comes from knowing her work matters. “Being recognized for my hard work is enough to keep me motivated,” she explains. “Rewards are secondary—a bonus that comes with dedication.”
Her family remains her biggest driver. “I always think of my daughters and my fiancée,” she says. “Even on my toughest days, they remind me why I keep pushing forward.”
Paying it forward
Success hasn’t made Icamen forget where she started. As her career has grown, she’s made mentorship part of her mission. She shares review materials, career advice, and even life lessons with peers and younger professionals.
Her advice is straightforward: “Go at your own pace. Master one skill before moving on to the next. Don’t compare yourself to others—everyone has their own journey.”
The bigger picture
Heidi Icamen’s story shows that a career pivot isn’t a setback—it can be an opportunity to build something greater. From an unrealized dream in interior design to global opportunities in accounting, her path reflects resilience, persistence, and adaptability.
“Success doesn’t always look like what you first imagined,” she says. “But if you stay determined, it can take you somewhere even better.”
