I have freedom at Grant Thornton
My journey to Grant Thornton isn’t what you’d expect. I didn’t attend business school or major in accounting in college. I earned my bachelor’s degree in history and special education, and after that, I attended law school. Nearing graduation, I wasn’t sure which path to take, and I knew I didn’t want to pursue a career at a traditional law firm. One of my professors suggested going into tax, which introduced me to Grant Thornton — where I found I could build a great career and use my nontraditional background to my advantage.
I’m following a new course
My career at Grant Thornton started out with a tax internship before my final year of law school. I gained real experience leading client calls and correspondence — something my classmates weren't getting at their internships. I knew from there that I had found the right path for me, and now, I work with not-for-profit clients and use my law degree every day, even if it’s not in the way I thought.
“My biggest piece of career advice is to not be afraid to admit that you don’t know things. Ask a lot of questions — it will actually make you more successful moving forward.”
— Sara Oakes
Manager, Tax Services
I’m thriving in this chapter
Grant Thornton changed my perspective on what my career could look like — and it's nothing like a traditional law firm. Our team prioritizes flexibility; last year, I took 13 days of flexible time off to travel to Italy, and because my team is so collaborative, I didn't have to worry about it. Getting to work with great people shows me that I made the right decision by following this career path.
I’m teaching in my own way
Since joining the firm, opportunities like the Manager Development Program and being strategy lead for the Future Leader & Allies business resource group have helped me grow. And since becoming a manager, I continue to find value in my nontraditional background. My special education degree helps me consider alternate methods of coaching my team so they can learn in ways that work best for them.
Contact me with questions about me or my story.
Want to learn more about me? Here are some fun facts.
One of my role models...
is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She paved the way for women in law and showed that they can persevere even when the odds are against them.
My favorite sport is...
baseball. Nothing beats a day at Wrigley Field rooting for the Chicago Cubs.
I studied abroad in...
Florence, Italy — and that’s actually how I met my husband! We maintain our love of Italy by bringing our favorite Italian wine to our favorite Italian restaurant in our neighborhood.
I bring my own self...
to work by not hiding who I am. Whether I’m having a good or bad day, I can be myself in any form.
Ready for a different kind of firm? Whatever you’re looking for, the opportunity is here.
Search for open positions
Enter keywords below to find the right role for you.
Read more of our stories
No Results Found. Please search again using different keywords and/or filters.