The Curious Break

My last day walking out of the office (anticlimactic because let’s be honest, who is coming in on a Friday?) compared to the free and naive spirit I was right out of college. No shame in my game. Jersey Shore had not yet aired on MTV, but tan skin, duck faces, and unnatural blonde hair was still at its peak.

Fall of 2008: I was a bright-eyed, freshly minted graduate diving into my first job, while the economy seemed to be imploding around me. I spent those early months clinging to that job like a life raft. My colleagues who found themselves “on the beach” were slowly but surely ushered to the door week after week. With that chaotic first year behind me and a whopping $400 raise (I mean, at this rate, I could almost afford an iced coffee with a flavor pump!), I decided to pledge my devotion to the firm.

Since then, I’ve experienced the full ride, complete with all the typical Big 4 public accounting tropes. If you’re unfamiliar, a quick look at Reddit can give you a good sense of it. Through it all, I met incredible teachers, mentors, allies, adversaries, beloved clients, and friends I wouldn’t trade for the world. While public accounting is often an easy target for criticism, I can’t say I regret my career there. Sure, we’ve had our ups and downs, but I know that my experiences have shaped me into a very specific type of person.

Which brings me to today: I made the bold decision to quit. After what feels like a professional lifetime, I decided to step away from the path of becoming a future leader of my firm. And it’s fresh—like, I just finished my first real week without needing to log my hours kind of fresh. The decision took many of my colleagues by surprise, but it was the right time for me. My goal of becoming a partner was set long ago, but I never really revisited it after getting married, having kids, and realizing I wanted to prioritize other commitments, including my own. Late in the spring, I was deferred as a partner candidate. Given the chance to present my case this fall, I took a hard look at the role and the firm and realized I’ve grown past that original goal. The relationships I have made the decision almost unbearable, but I knew in my heart the profession and I were no longer a good match.

There is clearly a whole lot more to unpack. While it may be an obvious decision for others, it was probably the hardest one I’ve had to make.

So, what’s next? I’m taking this time to experience everything I didn’t have the space for before—to reset, explore, and see what I’m made of. I want to rediscover passions, embrace new challenges, and align my years of experience with opportunities that may extend beyond the boundaries of traditional accounting and finance. This chapter is about growth and intentional living. It’s about finding a career path that resonates with who I am now, not just who I thought I had to be. If nothing else, I know my journey has a story worth telling. I’ve even committed to embracing this next chapter fully—whether that means getting up on a Moth stage or finding other ways to share my story.

And if nothing else, my girl Stevie has my back.