Navigating the Next Steps After Graduation: Seeking Wisdom on My Accounting Journey

Hello, everyone!

Today marks a significant milestone in my life as I celebrate my graduation with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting! As a 22-year-old who’s been soaking in the knowledge shared on this platform during my college years, I thought it was finally time to share my journey and seek your insights for what lies ahead.

With graduation behind me, I’m gearing up to step into the professional world. My plan is to begin applying for full-time positions in mid to late June. I’m looking forward to a short vacation with my mother in early June to reconnect with family I haven’t seen in ages. Once I return, my first stop will be to explore job opportunities at my parish in Louisiana. Given that my sister works for the local school system, I hope her network might offer me some valuable connections. I’m also considering pursuing a position with Walmart, my current employer, to transition into an office role and advance beyond my sales floor position.

What do you think of this approach? I would genuinely appreciate any advice as I navigate my job search, particularly since my interview experience is quite limited—I had one interview for an internship back in October 2024. Should I cast a wide net and apply for all positions that align with my skills, regardless of whether they are internships, part-time roles, or full-time jobs? Given my cumulative GPA of 3.1—an average that didn’t earn me any accolades—and a background with almost five years at Walmart without formal internships, I am concerned about how these factors might affect my job search.

I’m also curious about realistic starting salaries for recent graduates in Accounting and how to approach salary negotiations. Moreover, considering my lack of extracurricular activities or internships, what specific achievements and experiences should I highlight in my resume and interviews to make myself more appealing to potential employers? I already have the essentials covered, but I want to stand out.

From what I’ve gathered through discussions with professors and fellow students, it appears that as long as I have my bachelor’s degree, there’s a solid chance I can start in any accounting-related position—even if it’s not my dream role. This experience, combined with my 150 hours required for CPA licensing and my bilingual abilities (thanks to a minor in Spanish), should provide a strong foundation for my career advancement. Is this perspective correct?

I apologize for the lengthy post and multitude of questions, but this is a pivotal moment for me