We speak with so many brilliant folks across dozens of industries and when those folks happen to be working for someone else, sometimes we can’t help but wonder why they aren’t working for themselves. How do folks decide between joining a firm or starting their own? We posed the question to the community and have shared some of their responses below.

Flavia Saldanha

When I came across Women in Data, I was immediately inspired by its mission. It’s a global nonprofit organization with a presence in 150+ countries and local chapters across the world, connecting tens of thousands of members in the data community. Read more>>

Zohra Mavani

When I first started out, I worked for a law firm. At the time, I felt it was the “safe” choice—the predictable next step after law school. When you’re working for someone else, you really only wear one hat: you’re an attorney who’s assigned cases and tasks. Read more>>

Sheila Williams

When I first started out, I didn’t immediately launch my own firm. I began my career working inside CPA firms and corporate accounting departments. At the time, I felt it was important to learn the structure, systems, and discipline that came with working in environments where there were layers of oversight and clear processes. Read more>>