finishing college

[joelkthx]

The following advice coming from a 30-year old who is almost finished with an MBA and just made a similar post here about a week ago (and someone who wishes he had some good advice at your age):

Get some notable experience. If you want to go corporate route, realize you'll have to start close to the bottom. But the experience would be helpful.

Consider careers in finance too, not just accounting. There is some good money to be made.

I would agree with the earlier response that said to get the CPA. If you are in accounting/finance/numbers related fields, those initials are really helpful.

You said you are doing grad school - I would reinforce the idea to do this now. Do not take time off if you can help it. A year or two may be ok, but absolutely DO NOT wait until you are 28 and realize your career isn't going as fast as you want it to... and then go back to school when you have two kids. Its not ideal. Do it now, or at least soon.

Maintain a specialty (accounting, finance, etc.) as well as a sub-specialty. Something that is maybe related but not exactly the same subject. Might be helpful to wait around and see where you end up working and then determine what additional subject area would benefit you the most. For example, my wife works in finance. But everyone in her department that is advancing also has a subject area of expertise in something outside of their department. She is thinking about doing some job shadows and things to learn about underwriting.

Find a mentor. Find someone that you admire professionally and meet with them once a month. Get their advice. Pick their brain. Let them make suggestions for you. Learn. I still wish I had this.

The fact that you are asking about this stuff at 21 indicates to me that you'll likely take the advice seriously and I'm sure you'll do well for yourself. Best of luck.

Also - don't marry a Bammer.

 

[tntar heel]

I do plan to sit for this after grad school. The CMA has caught my eye as well because it basically defines what I want to do. Im afraid it will not carry the weight or respect as the CPA

While a CMA designation will carry weight, employers want to know what you can and have done. Get experience even if it is temp/part time. Get familar with SAP and Microsoft Dynamics if possible. While software should not determine whether you get a job it can determine if you get an interview. You have to remember that more than likely a person in HR will be looking at your resume to set up an interview and if they are told that the controller prefers someone with SAP experience, you can bet 90% of the candidates they refer are going to have dealt with SAP. BTW SAP sucks!!!!
Also, get very familar with financial statements and be able to analyze them to their lowest level. I could teach a monkey to do cash management, Simple AP, AR or inventory management. If I see someone who can use critical thinking to provide an answer to why costs went up in a line item that's who I'm hiring!

 

[Sin City Vol]

Tonight, I completed my last final exam, presented my last presentation, and said farewell to the place I have dedicated my life to since transferring there two years ago. Its a reality shock. My question to you guys, what next? Its so weird to know that I am no longer in school. I worked hard. Im graduating summa cum laude. And for a man who studied accounting, I am extremely proud of that. Now I will participate in grad school, but I am researching schools heavily before starting. I also hope to land a job that will help with expenses. I did very well working my way through. Only around $7,500 in student loan debt that I will begin paying off immediately. I already live on my own. I know this is a weird thread, but how did you guys spend the next year of your life after college? Did you find a better job? Do you actually have leverage in the job market? Its bittersweet ladies and gentleman. 5 years ago, I never planned to enter college. Now at the age of 21, I hold a bachelor's degree in my hand (technically next week). Any input is greatly appreciated. Where do I go from here?

CONGRATS!!! #1 don't get married for about 10 years. You're young, you're probably going to make decent $$...enjoy it!!! Do.everything you wanna do that you probably won't be able to once you get married and start a family. Life is very short, live it like you're gonna die tomorrow.

For the record, I'm married, I love my wife and kids but I waited till my mid 30's so I wouldn't look back and regret not doing certain things. I'm 45 now and love my life.

 

[ACvol3]

More of a saver/investor

Boooorriiiinnngggg

 

[PKT_VOL]

I say take a year off and go see the world. Then worry about where you'll be dedicating 50+ hours per week for the rest of your life after that. The traveling might also give you some insight into how your future career path relates in the more global picture.

Absolutely. It gives perspective in all aspects of life.

 

[Jackcrevol]

have you watched river monsters? hatd be the life. **** all else.

 

[BAJAvol]

The following advice coming from a 30-year old who is almost finished with an MBA and just made a similar post here about a week ago (and someone who wishes he had some good advice at your age):

Get some notable experience. If you want to go corporate route, realize you'll have to start close to the bottom. But the experience would be helpful.

Consider careers in finance too, not just accounting. There is some good money to be made.

I would agree with the earlier response that said to get the CPA. If you are in accounting/finance/numbers related fields, those initials are really helpful.

You said you are doing grad school - I would reinforce the idea to do this now. Do not take time off if you can help it. A year or two may be ok, but absolutely DO NOT wait until you are 28 and realize your career isn't going as fast as you want it to... and then go back to school when you have two kids. Its not ideal. Do it now, or at least soon.

Maintain a specialty (accounting, finance, etc.) as well as a sub-specialty. Something that is maybe related but not exactly the same subject. Might be helpful to wait around and see where you end up working and then determine what additional subject area would benefit you the most. For example, my wife works in finance. But everyone in her department that is advancing also has a subject area of expertise in something outside of their department. She is thinking about doing some job shadows and things to learn about underwriting.

Find a mentor. Find someone that you admire professionally and meet with them once a month. Get their advice. Pick their brain. Let them make suggestions for you. Learn. I still wish I had this.

The fact that you are asking about this stuff at 21 indicates to me that you'll likely take the advice seriously and I'm sure you'll do well for yourself. Best of luck.

Also - don't marry a Bammer.

Thank you for the advice. To give a quick background, I work for a bank. I started as a part time teller when I graduated high school and began college. I am now a loan officer (which is really not that big of a step). This is why I will more than likely concentrate in finance for my MBA. also to get that diversity. I love what I do. I love banking. But the reality is, it does not and will not pay very well until you hit upper management. They recently passed me over on a recent internal job that has encouraged me to look at additional opportunities. Our HR department has become the biggest joke. Im just ready to get some experience. And I want to actually begin making money in my field

 

[BAJAvol]

While a CMA designation will carry weight, employers want to know what you can and have done. Get experience even if it is temp/part time. Get familar with SAP and Microsoft Dynamics if possible. While software should not determine whether you get a job it can determine if you get an interview. You have to remember that more than likely a person in HR will be looking at your resume to set up an interview and if they are told that the controller prefers someone with SAP experience, you can bet 90% of the candidates they refer are going to have dealt with SAP. BTW SAP sucks!!!!
Also, get very familar with financial statements and be able to analyze them to their lowest level. I could teach a monkey to do cash management, Simple AP, AR or inventory management. If I see someone who can use critical thinking to provide an answer to why costs went up in a line item that's who I'm hiring!

Love reviewing and analyzing financial statements. I enjoy the days I get to underwrite business consumers for loans. Computing ratios, trend lines, comparing the industry, and evaluating as a whole on whether or not we should lend money is what I love. Sad thing is, we still have an underwriting group that makes the ultimate decision. Although I do that for my loan notes and to help them get approved, its not respected

 

[BAJAvol]

The following advice coming from a 30-year old who is almost finished with an MBA and just made a similar post here about a week ago (and someone who wishes he had some good advice at your age):

Get some notable experience. If you want to go corporate route, realize you'll have to start close to the bottom. But the experience would be helpful.

Consider careers in finance too, not just accounting. There is some good money to be made.

I would agree with the earlier response that said to get the CPA. If you are in accounting/finance/numbers related fields, those initials are really helpful.

You said you are doing grad school - I would reinforce the idea to do this now. Do not take time off if you can help it. A year or two may be ok, but absolutely DO NOT wait until you are 28 and realize your career isn't going as fast as you want it to... and then go back to school when you have two kids. Its not ideal. Do it now, or at least soon.

Maintain a specialty (accounting, finance, etc.) as well as a sub-specialty. Something that is maybe related but not exactly the same subject. Might be helpful to wait around and see where you end up working and then determine what additional subject area would benefit you the most. For example, my wife works in finance. But everyone in her department that is advancing also has a subject area of expertise in something outside of their department. She is thinking about doing some job shadows and things to learn about underwriting.

Find a mentor. Find someone that you admire professionally and meet with them once a month. Get their advice. Pick their brain. Let them make suggestions for you. Learn. I still wish I had this.

The fact that you are asking about this stuff at 21 indicates to me that you'll likely take the advice seriously and I'm sure you'll do well for yourself. Best of luck.

Also - don't marry a Bammer.

Im hoping to start grad school in January.

 

[Biopsyman]

Tonight, I completed my last final exam, presented my last presentation, and said farewell to the place I have dedicated my life to since transferring there two years ago. Its a reality shock. My question to you guys, what next? Its so weird to know that I am no longer in school. I worked hard. Im graduating summa cum laude. And for a man who studied accounting, I am extremely proud of that. Now I will participate in grad school, but I am researching schools heavily before starting. I also hope to land a job that will help with expenses. I did very well working my way through. Only around $7,500 in student loan debt that I will begin paying off immediately. I already live on my own. I know this is a weird thread, but how did you guys spend the next year of your life after college? Did you find a better job? Do you actually have leverage in the job market? Its bittersweet ladies and gentleman. 5 years ago, I never planned to enter college. Now at the age of 21, I hold a bachelor's degree in my hand (technically next week). Any input is greatly appreciated. Where do I go from here?

Find a rich girl....

 

[CountryBoyBob454]

More of a saver/investor

Congrats! I am curious. Did your accounting courses include personal finances? You probably know this stuff already with your degree, but buy The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Grahamn.

That is my tip.

Oh, and hedge your bet with a rich girl with a nice form.

 

[mdrew27]

I recommend that when you start working, if you get paid every two weeks throw $230 a paycheck into a Roth ira. Manage it yourself, buy an index fund. The sooner you start saving the better.

 

[YankeeVol]

Join the Army as an officer.

 

[wilrob75]

I say take a year off and go see the world. Then worry about where you'll be dedicating 50+ hours per week for the rest of your life after that. The traveling might also give you some insight into how your future career path relates in the more global picture.

+1...If he can swing it, this is the best advice in the thread. Get out and explore the world a little bit. It's a big place. And you're not tied down to a mortgage, wife, kids, etc.

 

[CanadianVol]

Have no desire for public accounting. I enjoy more of the internal audit, corporate world stuff

Get in touch with a couple headhunters on LinkedIn. There's tons of IA jobs out there, the trick is going to be finding one that will work with you if you want to do grad school. Figure out your priority between the two if you can't find one. If you want to email me, I have a few that are blowing me up, and some also service TN (tyler.kemp6ATgmailDOTcom)

I work in Public now and (disgustingly) love it. I graduated with a BBA, and had to go back to school to get my CPA hours and an accounting degree to get into Public, but I knew that's what I wanted to do. I was able to work at a golf course while I was in graduate school that worked with me on hours. It didn't foot the bill, but it paid my living expenses so I just had to take loans out for tuition.

As somebody previously said, (I think GAVol?), if you're going to go to Graduate school, do it now. If you put it off, you'll never go back. I've seen too many of my friends do that.

If you decide to do IA, figure out the requirements for your certification. If you have achieved the hour requirements, Grad school may not be worth it. Make sure you evaluate everything before deciding. I know the CPA was 150 hours and 30 in accounting, and I needed accounting hours so I had to go back. Some of my coworkers had hit the requirements after their undergrad, and didn't have to. A graduate degree may help, but the certifications are more important.

This is really unorganized, but it's 730AM, and I'm not quite thinking straight yet. If you have any questions, shoot me an email.

 

[BAJAvol]

Thanks for the response. I will definitely be e-mailing you just for advice and potential jobs alone. Im hoping to maybe land something at X-10, Y12, or TVA. Very respected and excellent internal accounting pay with endless advancement opportunities. They also offer 100% grad school tuition, license fees, etc. May not end up there but that is the goal. I love my company but the room for advancement is slim. I wanted to take a small break just because I have went the last two summers. Im very dedicated for an MBA just because I know the doors that will open. A friend of mine told me that LinkedIn was an excellent tool to use for networking.