Graduation Milestone: Seeking Guidance for the Future

Hello everyone,

Today marks a significant milestone in my life as I proudly graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Accounting! As a 22-year-old who has followed this community for several years, I’m excited to share this moment with you and seek your invaluable advice as I embark on my professional journey.

My immediate plans involve kicking off my job search in mid to late June. I’m headed on a family vacation in early June to catch up with relatives I haven’t seen in years. Once I’m back, I plan to begin applying for accounting-related positions. My first stop might be my local parish, primarily because my sister works in the public school system nearby and could offer a helpful connection. Additionally, I’m considering seeking opportunities within Walmart, my current employer, to move from floor sales to a more significant role in their corporate office.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this strategy. Is it wise for me to cast a wide net and apply for all Accounting jobs—internships, part-time, and full-time—as long as I meet the qualifications? My academic performance, with a GPA of 3.1, leaves a bit to be desired, especially since I graduated without any awards or internships, and my work experience is solely at Walmart for nearly five years since high school. How might this affect my job search?

Moreover, I’m curious about what starting salary I might realistically aim for during my initial applications. Without extracurricular activities or internships to bolster my resume, I’m seeking advice on what specific qualifications or experiences I should highlight during interviews. I already plan to include my educational background and work history, but I’d appreciate any insights on additional aspects that could enhance my candidacy.

I’ve heard from both this subreddit and my professors that achieving my bachelor’s in Accounting is a crucial first step. They suggest that it can open doors even to entry-level roles that may not be ideal, but could serve as a launching pad for advancing to better and more lucrative positions. Acquiring the required 150 credit hours for my CPA exam/license, alongside my bilingual skills in Spanish, should also work in my favor—correct?

Apologies for the lengthy post and the multitude of questions, but this is truly important to me. I welcome any advice you can offer and am open to any further questions you might have for more context.

Thank you for your support!