I joined RSM US LLP (RSM) in December 2018 in the tax processing department as a temporary employee through WinterWyman, a staffing firm. My contract started as a three-month assignment in the Boston office that continued to get extended, which turned into a full-time position with RSM! I worked in processing for about a year before transitioning to event management outside RSM in February 2020. I'm sure this will be no surprise to you what I tell you comes next.
In March 2020, the pandemic hit the United States. The company I joined had to eliminate my role following the national mandate that canceled all event offerings in the United States. I was heartbroken when I first lost my job, but I decided to do freelance work to build upon my experience in the interim. This freelance work allowed me the flexibility to participate in an apprenticeship in accounting to continue my education. After the internship, I thought about what I wanted to do next, and I often found myself thinking about what it would be like to join the RSM team again—if they'd have me! I decided to reach out to a former colleague, Marissa, so that I could reconnect with the team and later rejoin in January 2021.
Many ask me why I returned to RSM, and I always say, "I missed my friends, the culture and the opportunities RSM provided us to give back to the community!" Since I returned, I've done my best to stay involved with office activities and our volunteer work through Power of Love. One of my favorite programs RSM gives back to is "Read to a Child," where RSM volunteers read one-on-one to elementary students at under-resourced schools in the greater metropolitan area of Boston. Another stewardship opportunity I enjoy participating in is RSM's Season of Service. This opportunity is where our local office participates in the #HashtagLunchbag activity to make and deliver meals to organizations that provide meals for food-insecure people within various metropolitan communities. This year RSM volunteers contributed more than 1,400 hours of community service through sponsored events, which included packing more than 17,000 meals, care kits and other needed supplies for organizations in our communities.
Reflecting on my time at RSM, it's always refreshing to know that everyone in the Boston office dedicates their time and efforts to giving back to our local community. I always feel valued and that the team is always ready to help you advance in your career. My career advisor, Lucas Herter, is genuinely interested in my future at RSM and has actively been involved in helping me develop a career plan. When I left the firm in 2020, I was interested in a new venture. However, I'm grateful I found my way back to RSM and look forward to future growth.
Want to hear more about Imani’s RSM boomerang story? Connect with her on LinkedIn. Or, if you’re inspired to find your next role at RSM, explore our openings today.
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