[WhosThatIntern]

I recently turned 25 and am going through my quarter-life crisis. I’ve been comparing myself to my successful accounting classmates (which is always a bad idea) and have been discouraged about my path in life.

Although I’ve been working for a Big 4 firm for about a year and two months, I’m not in a position that I find meaningful and valuable. I’m unhappy with the type of work that I do and can’t really speak to my coworkers about it (for fear of backlash). I’ve tried multiple times to transfer within the firm, but each team has declined to accept me because I’m not experienced enough.

I feel like I’m “stuck” in my position. I’ve been looking for other jobs, but there are few that would improve my resume. On top of that, I failed AUD in February. I’ve been too discouraged to study for FAR (May 22) since I already feel like I’m too dumb to pass.

I’m not looking for sympathy, but rather some words of advice. How do you work through failure and a job that makes you unhappy? How do you find your way back to the right path?

AUD - 69 (Feb '14)
FAR - May '14
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will." - Karim Seddiki

[Anonymous]

@OP – What line of service are you in? I'm in advisory at a Big4 – might be able to offer you some advice if you're in audit but not tax 🙂

[How many letters do you need]

You are way too early on in your career to worry about going somewhere just yet. I know it doesn't feel like it but one year is basically nothing in the scheme of things. This is not meant to be insulting, just offering a different perspective from somebody a little further down the road. Keep trucking, and keep looking forward like you are, the meaningful work will come.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

You are way too early on in your career to worry about going somewhere just yet. I know it doesn't feel like it but one year is basically nothing in the scheme of things. This is not meant to be insulting, just offering a different perspective from somebody a little further down the road. Keep trucking, and keep looking forward like you are, the meaningful work will come.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

You are way too early on in your career to worry about going somewhere just yet. I know it doesn't feel like it but one year is basically nothing in the scheme of things. This is not meant to be insulting, just offering a different perspective from somebody a little further down the road. Keep trucking, and keep looking forward like you are, the meaningful work will come.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

You are way too early on in your career to worry about going somewhere just yet. I know it doesn't feel like it but one year is basically nothing in the scheme of things. This is not meant to be insulting, just offering a different perspective from somebody a little further down the road. Keep trucking, and keep looking forward like you are, the meaningful work will come.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[WhosThatIntern]

Thank you for your wise words, everyone!

@005: Thanks for the tough love. I really needed a push (or shove) in the right direction!

@isauditforme: I hate that it takes about a year to get comfortable with what you're doing at Big 4. I feel like I wasted a bunch of study time. 🙁

@determinedbig4: I'm actually in indirect tax (sales and use). I actually like my clients; it's the nature of this tax line that I dislike: I hate the monotony of it. I don't feel like I'm adding value for my clients.

AUD - 69 (Feb '14)
FAR - May '14
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will." - Karim Seddiki

[WhosThatIntern]

Thank you for your wise words, everyone!

@005: Thanks for the tough love. I really needed a push (or shove) in the right direction!

@isauditforme: I hate that it takes about a year to get comfortable with what you're doing at Big 4. I feel like I wasted a bunch of study time. 🙁

@determinedbig4: I'm actually in indirect tax (sales and use). I actually like my clients; it's the nature of this tax line that I dislike: I hate the monotony of it. I don't feel like I'm adding value for my clients.

AUD - 69 (Feb '14)
FAR - May '14
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will." - Karim Seddiki

[Author]

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