Celebrating Graduation: Seeking Advice for My Accounting Career Journey

Hello, readers!

Today marks a significant milestone in my life—I’ve officially graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Accounting! As I embark on this new chapter, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to reach out and gather some insights from those who have experienced the job market firsthand.

At 22, I’ve spent the last few years immersed in college life, quietly observing this community. Now that I’ve earned my degree, I am eager to dive into the world of Accounting and start my job search.

Plans and Aspirations

I am planning to begin my job applications in mid to late June, following a family vacation that I have scheduled for early June. I’m excited to reconnect with relatives I haven’t seen in years and refresh myself for the upcoming job hunt. Upon my return, my first step will be to explore job opportunities within my local parish in Louisiana, especially since my sister works for the public school system and may provide a valuable network. I’m also considering applying for office positions at Walmart, where I have been employed in a sales role for nearly five years. Transitioning from sales to an office environment seems like a promising move for my career.

Seeking Your Wisdom

With this plan in mind, I have a few questions for those who have successfully navigated their own job searches:

1. Is my job application timeline realistic?
2. Should I cast a wide net and apply for all types of accounting positions (internships, part-time, full-time) as long as I meet the qualifications?
3. Given my overall GPA of 3.1 and the lack of internship experience, how will this affect my job prospects? I graduated without any honors or distinguished awards, which makes me curious about how competitive I will be in the job market.
4. What starting salary should I realistically expect, and what is reasonable for me to request?
5. What should I emphasize on my resume and during interviews, considering my absence of extracurricular activities and internships? I’ll certainly include my educational background and work experience, but are there additional elements that can help me stand out?

I’ve been advised by both my professors and on this subreddit that a bachelor’s degree in accounting can open doors—even to entry-level jobs that might not be ideal. I’ve also heard that the completion of my degree, alongside the necessary 150 hours for my CPA exam, coupled with my bilingual