Celebrating Graduation: Seeking Guidance for a Future in Accounting

Hello, everyone!

Today marks a significant milestone in my life as I officially graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Accounting! After spending a few years as a silent observer of this subreddit, I felt it was the perfect moment to reach out and seek your invaluable advice as I embark on my journey into the professional world.

As a 22-year-old male fresh out of college, I am gearing up to dive into the job market. My intention is to start applying for full-time Accounting positions around mid to late June. This timeline aligns with a family vacation I have planned for early June to reconnect with relatives I haven’t seen in quite some time. Upon my return, I hope to kickstart my job search, beginning with opportunities at my local parish here in Louisiana, where my sister has connections in the public school system. I’m also contemplating applying for a position at Walmart, where I currently work, in hopes of transitioning from sales to a corporate role.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this plan. Do you think focusing on local opportunities is a sound strategy? Considering my background, having had only one interview for an internship back in October 2024, what do you recommend as I start my search? Would it be wise to apply for various roles in Accounting, whether they be internships, part-time, or full-time job openings, as long as I meet the qualifications?

I must admit, I’m somewhat apprehensive about my GPA, which stands at 3.1. I didn’t receive any honors during my time in college, lacked internship experience, and my work history primarily consists of five years at Walmart. Do you believe that these factors will complicate my job search? What is a realistic salary expectation for a recent graduate like myself, and how should I approach salary discussions during interviews?

Also, given that I don’t have significant extracurricular activities or internships, what key points should I highlight in my resume and during interviews to enhance my appeal to employers? Aside from basic educational and work experience details, what other aspects can I showcase to better represent my qualifications?

I’ve heard from both this subreddit and my professors that possessing a bachelor’s degree in accounting is a vital first step. They suggest that I can secure entry-level positions even if they aren’t ideal, allowing me to gather experience and eventually move up to more lucrative roles. Additionally, having already completed the necessary 150 credit hours for my CPA exam due to my minor in Spanish