Graduation and the Road Ahead: Seeking Advice for My Accounting Career

Hello Readers,

Today marks a significant milestone for me as I officially graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting! At 22, this moment feels both exhilarating and overwhelming, prompting me to reach out for guidance as I embark on my professional journey.

Having been a part of this community for a while, absorbing insights and experiences from others, I finally felt it was time to contribute my own story and seek your invaluable advice, especially as I begin my job search.

My Current Plans and Next Steps

I intend to commence my job applications in mid to late June, as I am planning a much-anticipated vacation with my mother to reconnect with family after several years apart. Upon returning, I will dive into my job search, starting with opportunities in my local parish in Louisiana. There’s a possibility of leveraging connections, such as my sister who works for the public school system, to explore available positions. Additionally, I may consider advancing within Walmart—my current employer—by transitioning from a sales floor role to a corporate Accounting position.

Thoughts on My Game Plan

I would truly appreciate any thoughts regarding this strategy. I’m curious if it would be wise to apply for a wide range of accounting positions—internships, part-time, or full-time—even if they only loosely align with my qualifications. Given that I graduated with a GPA of 3.1 and lack internships or extensive accolades, I wonder how this might impact my job search.

Understanding the Job Market

What salary range should I realistically expect as I begin my career? Also, as someone without internships or extracurricular activities to highlight, what specific experiences or skills should I include in my resume and discussions to effectively market myself? I have the basics covered, such as educational history and work experience, but I want to stand out positively.

I’ve heard from both this community and my professors that obtaining a bachelor’s degree can indeed open doors in the accounting sphere, even for entry-level roles that might not be ideal. I also possess the additional 150 credit hours required for the CPA exam due to my bilingualism in Spanish and various academic credits earned through CLEP exams and ACT scores. Is this perspective accurate, and could these factors significantly bolster my employability?

Request for Insight

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I value all insights and suggestions, no matter how small they may seem. If you have any questions or need clarification on my circumstances, feel