New year, new opportunities ✨
January 15, 2021
Today marks the end of my 5-year journey with PwC Toronto. Having started at the firm when I was just 19 for my first co-op term, it feels so surreal to say goodbye.
I worked in the Audit and Assurance group and I still remember how excited/nervous I was on the first day of work in 2016 with over 80 of my classmates. Due to the sheer number of friends that I was able to work with, as well as the large number of Waterloo Alumni, work just felt like a big group project with all of us working together to get the audit done, while having fun (and occasionally being very stressed).
Because of this, I became comfortable. I kept coming back term after term, and even accepted a full-time offer. PwC was what I knew, and I had built such close relationships with my coworkers - so why not?
All soon as I started full-time, it was as if a switch flipped inside my head. During my co-ops, I had never considered the meaning behind my work and if what I was doing aligned with my values. I mean which 19 year old? I was getting paid, my dinners and Ubers were expensed, so what more was there to think about?
Now that I was a permanent employee, I knew that the next time I left PwC was either when I quit, or when I retired and that was such a scary thought. Did I want to spend my youth doing this? What was the bigger picture here?
I was so conflicted because in audit, we have this period called "busy season". From January to March, you essentially have no life as you clock in 12+ hour days, and are perpetually stressed trying to meet the deadlines. But then, during the summer and essentially, the rest of the year, things are much more chill depending on what clients you get staffed on. I had to decide if this extreme work-life balance was worth it, or if I wanted to take the leap and switch jobs.
The thought of leaving PwC for higher pay and better hours was attractive, and my decision only strengthened when many of my close colleagues left. Talking about leaving is really common but the biggest hurdle is figuring out what you want to do afterwards. I knew I wanted to do more meaningful work, but it took me a lot of soul searching and researching to figure out what that meant. I narrowed it down to the type of company and sector I wanted to work in: either healthcare or education.
I won't delve into the interview process or any of those specifics, but once I confirmed my start date at my new job, the uncertainties began to kick in.
Was I making the right choice?
Was I leaving too soon?
What if I don't know anything but audit??
Am I leaving to a good industry?
What are the job prospects after this new job?
I knew that the source of these concerns just boiled down to the fact that I had never experienced anything outside of PwC before - I knew the systems, I had a solid set of friends/coworkers and I was just comfortable. But at the same time, I knew that deep down, I didn't want to be at PwC long-term, so I would eventually have to make the jump, it was just a matter of when.
I start my new job on Monday, and it still feels unreal. I'm so excited for this new chapter but before that, I wanted to share some of my favourite moments of my time here at PwC.
Views
I don't think I'll ever tire of city views, especially the ones from PwC. Since the office isn't positioned in the Financial District, there was a clear view of the entire city when looking north. And to the south was the beautiful lake, and on rare occasions, I used to catch a plane flying right between the buildings which was amazing. When working late, I would take moments to just stare outside and remind myself how much I had to be grateful for.
Friends and Shenanigans
What drew me to PwC were the people, and what kept me here were the people. Starting my corporate journey with some of my closest university friends to making best friend from work - I'm so grateful to have worked alongside so many wonderful people. It'll definitely be so strange to go from talking to 30+ people on the daily to a number much lower. From coordinating which floor to meet on or what time to meet in the lobby, to hustling to Starbucks or Mos Mos before a meeting, having my friends around is what kept me sane.
Outfits
I still remember the adrenaline rush I used to get when taking an outfit picture in the washroom and praying that no one walks in. When I first joined at PwC, the dress code was business casual, but being young and starry-eyed, I used to dress so extra everyday, even waking up earlier to straighten my hair and apply makeup. I'm pretty sure I never wore my heeled ankle boots after my first co-op term, as I was scarred from having to run down 5 flights of stairs and to the train after the fire alarm went off one day.
By the time I started full time (last picture), I used to keep my hair natural, wear the faintest traces of makeup and sport one of my many Uniqlo crewnecks with comfortable pants and my Ultraboosts - so thankful for PwC's "dress for your day" policy.
Wow - 5 years done. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun (or too busy to notice). Celebrating the journey but also looking ahead for what’s to come.
Remember: "Change is the only constant in life" -Heraclitus
Sending you lots of light, love and the courage to make changes in your own life, no matter how big or small,
-Reina xo