[Anonymous]

I graduated in December 2012 with a B.S. in accounting and the 150 hour requirement to be a CPA, and to this day (over 2 months since graduation) I have yet to find a job (no relevant work experience). I have had 11 interviews thus far and will have a 12th next week. Right now, I am thinking of going back to school to get a B.S. in computer information systems (basically a computer science degree with business classes, which I already have), which I estimate would take about 3 additional years (meaning I will be around 26 once I’m done).

I just have a 2 questions: first of all is going back to school wise? Second of all, does anyone know how is the computer science/computer information systems job market compared to accounting? I don’t want to go through all that effort just to end up back where I started, i.e. having difficulty finding a job.

[Anonymous]

Go where your heart takes you! If you love what you do then you never work a day in your life!

[SammyJ]

Well if you dont have relevant work experience and just graduated from college, its not going to be easy. Usually ppl who gets jobs right after college are ppl who have an internship with that company while going to school. Of course not all of us are that fortunate. However, if you really wanna stick with accounting, then you should pursue that CPA. Getting the 4 exams done is something that looks great on a resume. CPA firms of course love CPAs on their team. If you can see you're working hard to get one, they'll hire you after you complete the exam requirements.

To be honest and not to bring you down, but I dont think going back to school to get another BS is a very good idea.

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[Groud]

Don't ever “go back to school” unless there is a very specific reason and defined benefit (ie: the company you work for will give you a certain promotion if you get an MBA). If you are going back under the circumstances you just laid out then you will find yourself in the same situation you are in today, except 3 years of your prime gone, no work experience, and nearly twice the debt (assuming you are paying for it out of pocket not with scholarship).

If I were you I'd keep grinding out those interviews while you study for the CPA, once you get a job (and you will) pay for the CPA tests and pass them (you will), then get a CISA (because it sounds like an area you are interested in). It took me over a year out of college to land my public accounting job. Although I was strictly applying to finance positions after I graduated (in 2009 – worst year ever to graduate wanting to go into finance).

By that time you will be two years into your career, with a CPA and CISA, and you'll be paying off those original student loans, rather than incurring more.

Experience + CPA + CISA + 1 Bachelors Degree >>>>>>>> 2 Bachelors degrees

Plus it's cheaper and quicker.

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[mla1169]

Unfortunately 2 months is not a long time for a job search. Actually I'd be more surprised by someone who had landed a job in 8-9 weeks after graduation. And I echo what SammyJ said, it is absolutely more difficult (but not impossible) without relevant work experience.

That said you may just need to step up your game on the job hunt. Apply to companies that are not advertising looking for help, search on linkedin, get out no less than 5 resumes per day.

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Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Zaq]

3 months no job? Lol.

You'd give up 4 years+ of school because you don't have a job 3 months out of college?

Suck it up man. You'll find your opportunity soon enough.

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May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[Author]

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