Q&A: Hanifa Farooq

Hanifa Farooq was a college graduate with a corporate job and a preplanned track to a comfortable retirement, but three years into her career she felt that something wasn't right.

She was happy with her salary, benefits, co-workers and lifestyle, but she felt unfulfilled and left her job at accounting firm Grant Thornton in June to join Teach for America, a national nonprofit that recruits and trains young standouts to be teachers in low-income communities.

The move came with a 40% pay cut and a daily commute from Farooq's Glendale home to College Ready Middle Academy No. 4, a charter school in the South Los Angeles community of Watts.

Farooq, 26, is part of a growing movement of successful professionals and academics who have postponed or abandoned their personal career aspirations to join Teach for America.

ZAIN SHAUK: What was it like working at your accounting firm?

HANIFA FAROOQ: It was an intense environment. For the last year I was in a one-person department, and I reported directly to different partners. I was coordinating training programs for all different levels, and it was very intense because I managed a lot of the things on my own, of course with guidance as you have in any other corporate setting. It was stressful, but I enjoyed it. I was good at it. I was making my way up, and I was recognized through the partnership.

Q: So you liked your job?

A: I did. I liked it. I mean, I think I reached a point where I kind of stopped myself and said I never envisioned myself being in corporate America, and then I had to ask myself what was I doing in corporate America? Once I asked myself that question I realized that I needed a different outlet, and I needed to be doing something different.

Q: What was it that made you start asking that question?