Recent Graduate Seeking Career Guidance in Accounting

Hello, WordPress community!

Today marks a significant milestone in my life—I’ve officially graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Accounting! As a 22-year-old who has followed this blog for years, I felt compelled to share my journey and seek your insights as I transition into the workforce.

As I look ahead, my plan is to begin applying for full-time Accounting positions around mid to late June. Before then, I’m excited to take a vacation with my mother to visit family I haven’t seen in a long time. Upon returning, I plan to kick off my job search, starting with local opportunities such as my parish or even advancing my career at Walmart, where I’ve spent nearly five years on the sales floor.

But I’m reaching out to gather your thoughts on my strategy. Here are a few concerns I hope to address:

1. Job Applications: Should I be open to applying for all types of Accounting positions, including internships and part-time roles, as long as I meet the qualifications?
2. GPA and Experience: With a GPA of 3.1 and only my retail experience at Walmart (no internships or accolades), is this likely to hinder my job search?
3. Salary Expectations: What starting salary should I anticipate, and what is reasonable to ask for as a new grad?
4. Resume Highlights: Lacking extracurricular activities or internships, what crucial elements should I emphasize on my resume and during interviews to enhance my appeal to potential employers?
5. Career Advancement: I’ve been advised that having a bachelor’s degree is a substantial stepping stone in accounting. Given that I have my 150 credit hours ready for the CPA exam (thanks to a minor in Spanish), is it true that this will facilitate my entry into the field, even if I start at a less-than-ideal position?

I acknowledge it’s a lengthy message filled with questions, but your feedback is invaluable to me. I appreciate any advice or insights you can provide, and I’m open to any questions you may have to better understand my situation.

Thank you for your time!