Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting: Seeking Your Guidance for the Future

Hello everyone,

Today marks a significant milestone in my life—I have officially graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting! As a 22-year-old male who has been quietly observing this community for a while, I felt compelled to reach out and share my experience while also seeking your advice as I embark on my professional journey.

My immediate plan is to kick off my job search in mid to late June, but first, I’ll be taking a much-anticipated vacation with my mother to visit family that I haven’t seen in years. Upon returning, my focus will shift to applying for Accounting positions. One idea I have is to start locally with my parish in Louisiana, leveraging the connection my sister has with the public school system here. I’m also considering pursuing opportunities within Walmart, where I currently work, to transition into an office role rather than remain on the sales floor.

What are your thoughts on this approach? I would greatly appreciate any tips as I prepare for my job search. I only have one interview from last October for an internship, so I’m unsure of how to effectively navigate this process. Is it advisable to apply for every accounting position that fits my qualifications, including internships, part-time, and full-time roles? Additionally, I graduated with a GPA of 3.1, and I wonder if that, along with my limited internship experience and primary work at Walmart for nearly five years, will make securing a job more challenging.

I’d also love insights on what a reasonable starting salary might be and how I should advocate for it. Without much in the way of extracurriculars or internships, what specific elements should I highlight on my resume and during interviews to effectively present myself? I have already included my educational background and work history, but I want to ensure I’m putting my best foot forward.

From what I’ve gathered in this subreddit and from my professors, having a bachelor’s degree in accounting can open doors, even if the initial position may not be ideal. The fact that I’ve completed the necessary 150 credit hours for the CPA exam, along with my bilingualism due to a Spanish minor, should also work in my favor. Is this true, and how can I leverage that in my job search?

I apologize for the lengthy message and all the questions, but this endeavor is incredibly important to me. I’m open to any and all advice you may offer. If you need any further information, please feel free