[Anonymous]

Hello everyone, I know this is an unothorodox question, but I feel this forum is such a great resource for a newcomer. I’m graduating from college this May, and to no surprise, for the past several years my social life has existed in a college atmosphere. To make us all feel really old, my social environment before that was…high school…Two very different incumbent social environments from that of a big four firm. I want to develop close relationships with my peers, and I also want to have a strong personal brand. Looking back on your own college experiences, I’m sure many of you didn’t win over your closet friends with a “corporate brand.” At the least, not then. With that, what advice would you give to an incoming associate, who is heavily invested in making close friends, but also wants to keep to an office’s decorum? In some ways this can be obvious, but it can also be surprisingly nuanced.

For an example, as a pass time around my (rural) university, my friends and I have gone “small game hunting.” If someone at the office asked me of my pass times, I don’t want to lie. Perhaps I could find a person of common interests. At the same time, I’m very weary of sharing things that could be somewhat “political.”

Simply put, I want to be myself at the office, but I want to be courteous and mindful. Advice?

[TheB4Newbie]

HAH sounds like a new joiner at Team Price. The best “Corporate Brand” is TO BE YOUR TRUE SELF. People will like who you are. People who don't like who you are, it's their problem, not yours. You got the offer, and that means people you have met during the recruiting process liked you and acknowledged you. If you are a disrespectful, impolite, or lousy prick, you would not even be here talking about being an incoming associate in the first place. I think you are golden.

You will make good and close friends over time, which I think happens very naturally as you transitioning into the corporate/professional world. Along the way, you will meet a lot of peers just like you, and maybe even a significant other. So sit back and relax and enjoy your last moment of free time because once you start full time, you will pray for times like it was in college. Best!

In 2014: (FAR + AUD + REG + BEC) / 4 = 95.0 < 95.5 Pitifully; But the job was done, regardless.

[WaivingMyHands_ALOT]

Making friends at big four is the same as making friends anywhere else. Be yourself, be polite, don't gossip. You'll start to get more and more comfortable around people as you spend 50-80 hours/week with them. Some people you'll click with and maybe have a relationship outside of work, some people not so much.

Big four office traditionally has pretty young/fresh out of college staff, so you'll probably all be going through the same thing.

Go to happy hours if your office does them. If they don't have them, get a group of staff/seniors/above together and start them.

AUD 99
BEC 96
FAR 94
REG 96

[EuroAddict]

Work first. Friendship second.

No need to worry about it and “force” it.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Anonymous]

never dip the pen in company ink.

[Author]

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