Graduated today with my bachelor’s! Any advice for the future?

Navigating the Next Steps After Graduation: Seeking Career Advice in Accounting

Hello, readers!

Today marks a significant milestone for me—I’ve officially graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Accounting! As I take this momentous step into the professional world, I felt it was the perfect time to reach out and seek your insights and advice as I prepare to embark on my job search.

At 22 years old, I’ve been an avid reader of this community for some time, soaking in knowledge and experiences from others. Now that I’m ready to dive into the job market, I wanted to share my plans and gather your thoughts on the best way to proceed.

Career Plans and Timeline
My goal is to start submitting applications for full-time Accounting roles in mid to late June. I have a family vacation planned for early June to visit relatives I haven’t seen in years, after which I’ll be fully focused on job hunting. Given my location in Louisiana, I’m considering reaching out to my parish for potential job openings, especially since my sister is connected to the public school system here. Additionally, I might explore opportunities at Walmart, where I’m currently employed, aiming for a transition into an office position.

Seeking Your Thoughts
What do you think of this approach? I’m eager to hear your advice as I navigate this crucial phase. I have some specific questions that I’m hoping you can help me with:

1. Should I cast a wide net and apply to all available Accounting positions (internships, part-time, or full-time) as long as I meet the requirements?
2. I graduated with a GPA of 3.1 and lack extensive internship experience, having had just one interview for an internship previously. Will this impact my job search significantly?
3. What’s a reasonable starting salary to expect and potentially negotiate for?
4. Given my limited extracurricular activities and work experience, what particular details should I highlight on my resume and during interviews to effectively market myself?

I’ve heard from both professors and peers that obtaining a bachelor’s degree in accounting is a gateway to various job opportunities, even if they aren’t the most glamorous. This is encouraging, especially since I have already fulfilled the 150 credit hours needed for my CPA exam/license and possess bilingual skills due to a minor in Spanish. Is this perspective accurate?

I sincerely apologize for the lengthy post, but your insights are incredibly important to me as I navigate this transition! I’m open to all suggestions, so please don’t