Your career and development

Since joining Grant Thornton’s Cairns office as a graduate almost six years ago, circumstances and curiosity have intersected to give Manjoot Singh unexpected opportunities. Originally starting in the private advisory team, when COVID-19 put a hold on international arrivals, Manjoot was offered an opportunity to spend time in Audit. More recently, after expressing an interest in learning about management consulting, Manjoot’s Manager found space in the Audit schedule for her to take up a secondment opportunity there, building her knowledge and skills in another area of the firm. ‘Even though it wasn’t directly related to audit or the type of work that I'm usually doing, I can now bring some of those skills and knowledge into my Audit work, and I have a better appreciation of a different service line as well,’ Manjoot said.

When she needed to help family in Sydney late last year, Grant Thornton facilitated her working from the Sydney office for several months, something Manjoot is grateful for especially as her stay in Sydney was longer than initially anticipated. ‘I really have appreciated them having my back in difficult situations. A few years ago, my mother was in hospital for an extended period, and they were also accommodating for me to drive back and forth between different towns to support my family. ‘It makes you feel comfortable to bring your whole self to work, because people are interested and care about you as a person.’

A few short months after arriving in Australia, Venezuelan-born Ahiram Padrinos says he already feels he may have found his ‘forever home’ in Melbourne. ‘I really love the city. I love the people here. I love the people at Grant Thornton. And I love the coffee – it feels like coffee back home in Venezuela.’ After a period working in the United States, Ahiram was seeking a change and started at looking at other countries, including Australia. After interviewing with firms in several countries, Ahiram chose Grant Thornton – and Australia – because he felt the connection with the Partners in Melbourne was ‘fantastic from the very start’. ‘The Partners felt like they were specifically interested in me and what I could offer, compared to other firms that felt more like I was just another worker.’

Ahiram said the nicest surprise was the welcome he received from colleagues at all levels. ‘There was someone at every level to walk me through things, different systems and things like that – everyone is super supportive and every time I have a question there’s someone willing to take the time to answer it.’ Ahiram says that a move to another country is not without its challenges but says that at Grant Thornton he feels that ‘people actually care about me as a person and about my career goals’. ‘It’s interesting because here people are reminded that they have a life and they should go home, enjoy time with their families or friends and do whatever excites them.’