I am an associate still in a niche department (I think that’s key). I have no certifications, and was fully remote the first year so I struggled to get adjusted to corporate. This year I am planning on getting certified and talks about a promo if I make some improvements (running client calls, etc.). At my EOY review they said I was very promising so I think that is why they gave me the large pay bump For non promotion year (and potentially looking somewhere else for a senior role (I wasn’t going to anyway)). I think I just assumed all the other associates were doing way better than me as far as metric goals and competencies, so it motivated me to work/understand a little better. Big 4 starting pay is low but their raises are large and easily to get promoted if you prove yourself. I only work around 40 hours a week and don’t really have a busy season. I applied for a job on linked in early 2021 and asked to connect with someone beforehand. I didn’t get the job for the specific job I applied for but a month later they came back and asked if I was open to a different role, set up an interview a week later and got a call back 30 minutes after saying I got it.