Finding a home away from home: Jordyn's secondment journey at BDO New Zealand

For Jordyn, the appeal of a secondment wasn't just about travel – it was about self-discovery. "I thought it'd be really cool to go somewhere where you didn't know anyone and then see who you are," she reflects. Growing up in a small town where she'd known the same friends since age seven, the idea of starting fresh in an entirely new environment was both thrilling and terrifying. 

The opportunity came through BDO's global network and what started as a planned four-month secondment extended to a full year as Jordyn found herself not wanting to leave the life she'd built in New Zealand.

The first few months tested Jordyn in ways she hadn't anticipated. 

The isolation forced her to develop independence she didn't know she possessed. 

"Back home, if something came up like a hike and I asked people to come with me and no one did, I'd be like, okay, I guess I won't go. Whereas here, if I didn't go on my own, I wouldn't do anything." This shift from depending on others to embracing solo adventures became one of her most significant personal growth areas.

A different approach to work and life

Perhaps the most striking change Jordyn experienced was in her relationship with work itself. Coming from an environment heavily focused on billable hours and intense busy seasons, she discovered a more balanced approach in New Zealand. “Everyone’s attitude is, it’ll be all right,” she explains. 

What she came to appreciate was that this wasn’t about reduced expectations, but about trust in the team. There was a consistent willingness to support one another, creating confidence that challenges would be tackled collectively rather than individually and that whatever came up, someone would be there to help.  

“It’s gonna work out. It’s all gonna be fine,” she says, not because there wasn’t an urgency behind the work, but because the team approached it together. That mindset, alongside the strong emphasis on work-life balance in New Zealand, created a noticeably different experience. Time to step away from work, enjoy the lifestyle Christchurch has to offer, and genuinely recharge was not only encouraged, but expected, ultimately leading to better outcomes, both professionally and personally. 

The shift in culture has had a real impact on Jordyn’s perspective. She now sees public practice as a place where a rewarding career and a more sustainable work-life balance can coexist. "It does seem more possible to get both. You work hard and there are trade-offs at times, but it doesn't seem as extreme."

For anyone considering a similar path, Jordyn's advice is unequivocal:

She emphasizes that secondments offer unique opportunities for both personal and professional growth that simply aren't available in familiar environments. "I think it grows you and it teaches you a different way to think about things and shows you that the world isn't small." 

Jordyn's story illustrates the transformative power of international experience in professional services. Her year in New Zealand didn't just add a line to her resume – it fundamentally changed her perspective on work-life balance, professional relationships, and her own capabilities. 

As she returns to Canada as a newly promoted manager, Jordyn carries with her not just technical skills and international experience, but a more balanced approach to work and life. Her journey demonstrates that sometimes the most valuable career development happens not in climbing the traditional ladder, but in stepping sideways into the unknown. 

For audit professionals considering their next career move, Jordyn's experience serves as a powerful reminder that in a globally connected profession, the opportunities for growth and discovery extend far beyond the familiar confines of home. As she puts it with characteristic humour: "If you're an auditor, you picked a boring career – you might as well do something exciting with it."

The secondment program at BDO continues to offer these transformative opportunities, connecting professionals across continents and creating the kind of global perspective that benefits both individuals and the firms they serve. 

For Jordyn, it was the adventure of a lifetime that happened to advance her career. For others considering similar paths, it represents a chance to discover not just new places and practices, but new versions of themselves. 

Check out our latest career opportunities at BDO New Zealand or BDO Canada!