[RyanN]

Hi, I’m a bit older – 27 now. It took me forever to figure out what I wanted to do in life. Went to school with a bunch of different majors, worked dead end jobs and the like. I finally figured out that I loved accounting. With a few summer courses I should finish up my associates degree in 2014, then transfer to a university. I’m a straight-A student, though that hardest course I’m taking right now is only intermediate accounting I. I’ll have cost accounting and taxation starting next semester – won’t be able to take intermediate II, but I won’t need it to graduate. If I understand the requirements correctly, I won’t need to spend extra time in school to get my 150 credit hours after I get my bachelor’s because of classes in other fields (primarily in the social sciences).

Anyway, I’m not entirely sure what career path I want to take. I do really enjoy accounting, but it would be nice if I could be a big-picture kind of guy every now and then. I’d love to work with theories and be creative – more economic and finance type work, perhaps. While the CPA and auditing route is my current tentative plan, it would be nice if I could perhaps get into something more like consulting, perhaps having a private firm or even, if I have the opportunity, seize on an emerging industry I’m interested and passionate in and founding a start-up. I love learning and challenging my mind, so I would like to get involved an industry that keeps me intellectually challenged. And I’d preferably like to live in a metropolitan city, a Chicago, Boston, Seattle, New York or Portland to name a few.

If it helps any, I have some solid writing talent, but not any experience in business writing per se. Cost accounting looks interesting to me as I’m very interested in how costs change according to scale and in business structures and the like. I haven’t actually taken the course yet, so it’s just a temporary guess. There’s apparently an accounting club at my school I’ll be able to attend starting in January that I plan on going to – just to network or have fun or meet like-minded people.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Any tips on what I should pursue or be thinking about? Any industries that might be of particular interest to me? That sort of thing?

[Travis]

Hi Ryan — It sounds like you are generally on the right track. I can relate a little to your situation. I am 28 and just finished my 4 year undergrad in accounting in August. I finished my 2 year AAS in accounting in 2008 and took some time off while working in the field and moving to a new city. Before that…..I was three semesters from finishing my 4 year in secondary education, but it was not my calling for the next 30+ years and the labor market for it was tough without an advanced degree.

My advice is to check into the four year schools around you. I chose a local public four year school that caters to working adults. This was great for those like me that have a fulltime job (in accounting) and mortgage. Working 40+ hours a week and part time classes for 3 years was the route I took. Yes there are days when it sucked to go into work early, leave, commute to go to a 6pm class, and come home at 10:30 completely wiped out. But it is worth the effort. I was still gaining experience at work and managing to keep the student debt load down.

Join LinkedIn and do not be afraid to network!!!! Go to networking events, happy hours, accounting club meetings, volunteer, etc. Look at job postings to get an idea of what is available and to get an idea of what you want to shoot for. I joined the firm I am at now through LinkedIn. It is an invaluable tool if you can use it effectively and professionally.

Sorry I am kind of coming from all kinds of directions here and keeping it brief but those are my two cents.

EDIT: Also keep an open mind while progressing through your classes and career. What you like today in accounting may not necessarily be what you like tomorrow. I never thought I'd be going the tax route, but I am enjoying the journey so far!

[Travis]

Hi Ryan — It sounds like you are generally on the right track. I can relate a little to your situation. I am 28 and just finished my 4 year undergrad in accounting in August. I finished my 2 year AAS in accounting in 2008 and took some time off while working in the field and moving to a new city. Before that…..I was three semesters from finishing my 4 year in secondary education, but it was not my calling for the next 30+ years and the labor market for it was tough without an advanced degree.

My advice is to check into the four year schools around you. I chose a local public four year school that caters to working adults. This was great for those like me that have a fulltime job (in accounting) and mortgage. Working 40+ hours a week and part time classes for 3 years was the route I took. Yes there are days when it sucked to go into work early, leave, commute to go to a 6pm class, and come home at 10:30 completely wiped out. But it is worth the effort. I was still gaining experience at work and managing to keep the student debt load down.

Join LinkedIn and do not be afraid to network!!!! Go to networking events, happy hours, accounting club meetings, volunteer, etc. Look at job postings to get an idea of what is available and to get an idea of what you want to shoot for. I joined the firm I am at now through LinkedIn. It is an invaluable tool if you can use it effectively and professionally.

Sorry I am kind of coming from all kinds of directions here and keeping it brief but those are my two cents.

EDIT: Also keep an open mind while progressing through your classes and career. What you like today in accounting may not necessarily be what you like tomorrow. I never thought I'd be going the tax route, but I am enjoying the journey so far!

[Author]

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