I’ve always had a love for numbers and a knack for math, which led me to major in finance in college. During my junior year, I took a business class that involved project-based work, sparking my interest in management consulting. After speaking with representatives from Deloitte at an on-campus job fair, I applied for and secured an internship for the summer following my junior year.
The internship was a great experience. I had a supportive team, plenty of guidance, and a clear career progression path within the company. At the end of the summer, I received a return offer, which I gladly accepted.
As a first-generation child of immigrants, I felt that my parents had come to the U.S. to give me opportunities like this. They were proud of me for studying finance, graduating, and landing a job at a prestigious firm. However, that path didn’t last as long as I had expected.
### The Hustle Culture Took Its Toll
I started working at Deloitte full-time in the fall of 2008 after graduating. The job demanded grueling hours under what was known as the 3-4-5 program: three nights in a hotel, four days at a client site, and a fifth day back in the office. Every Monday, I flew to a client site, stayed through Wednesday night, and returned to Boston on Thursday. The work-life balance was nearly nonexistent.
During my two years at Deloitte, I worked on three major projects. Between projects, we were “on the beach,” which could hurt your utilization ratio and, in turn, affect raises and bonuses. To stay busy, I took on internal initiatives like volunteering and writing white papers.
The culture was intense—fast-paced, high-pressure, and exhausting. I hated it but was too shy to voice my concerns. I overheard senior managers and partners expressing their frustrations about missing time with their families. I knew I wanted a family and balance in the future, but I could see myself getting trapped in this cycle for the next 15 to 25 years, financially comfortable but never truly present at home.
I also struggled with job satisfaction. Despite the heavy workload, my impact felt minimal. One particularly tough week, I thought to myself, *I can’t imagine feeling like this for the rest of my life.*
I remember sitting in a Thai restaurant with my then-boyfriend (now husband) and venting about my frustrations. He said, “You’re miserable. You’re going to run yourself into the ground. Why don’t you just leave?” He encouraged me to pursue photography as a career. Photography had always been a passion of mine, and with my Deloitte salary, I’d invested in better gear, but I’d never considered it as a full-time career.
At first, I brushed off the idea, but it lingered in my mind. Eventually, I decided to take the leap. In August 2010, I gave my eight weeks’ notice to allow the company time to find a replacement. In October 2010, at 24 years old, I left Deloitte.
### The Fear of Going Back Motivated Me
During my notice period, I built a website, posted on social media, and handed out business cards at marketing and networking events on the weekends I was home. I softly announced my career shift to friends. Some were supportive and referred me to their networks, while others warned that I was wasting my college degree and that photography should remain a hobby or side hustle.
I didn’t tell my parents for the first couple of years. They had worked so hard to give me opportunities, and the idea of saying, “I’m leaving my stable, well-paying job with benefits to pursue photography” felt terrifying. I gave myself two years to replace my Deloitte salary. If I couldn’t make it work, I’d return to a corporate job and keep photography as a hobby. The fear of having to go back to finance was a powerful motivator.
It took several months to land my first clients. To build my portfolio, I offered free photoshoots and assisted established photographers. I poured my heart into every session, asking clients for honest feedback, and they repaid my kindness with referrals.
I discovered that many skills I’d learned at Deloitte transferred to my new career: active listening, professional communication, understanding client needs (both spoken and unspoken), and bridging strategy with creativity. After 18 months, I realized photography could be a sustainable career.
### I’ve Never Looked Back
I don’t miss consulting and wouldn’t consider returning to that fast-paced lifestyle, though I’m not sure if the culture has changed since I left. As a wedding photographer, I’ve found a career that allows me to be present for my family while doing work I love. I choose clients who align with my values and structure my schedule intentionally. I can pick up my kids from school, take midweek adventures, and travel without needing permission.
I love capturing the small, unscripted moments that couples and families will treasure forever. I have no regrets, and I’m deeply grateful for my husband, who encouraged me to pursue this passion.
I’m also thankful for the mentors I had at Deloitte. They were brilliant, supportive role models, and the skills they taught me still serve me well in my photography business. That experience shaped who I am today.
I hope the humility and kindness that guided my career transition remain with me. Incredibly, I can make a comfortable living doing what I love, and I don’t take that for granted.