Hi again. So far, I have managed to narrow down my options to 5 degrees. Two of them, you probably already know: mathematics and computer science. Another, as the title cleverly suggests , is accounting. A career that is at the very heart of our economy, and that yet, I know almost nothing about. I have many questions (what a surprise ), but the deal maker (or breaker) in this case is this: First question is up; thanks for any help and/or advice you can provide.
I am working in accounting right now and am nearing the completion of a second BS in accounting through Peru State College. Most of the actual number crunching done today is done by a computer. I spent a large portion of my introductory and intermediate accounting accounting classes going over every little detail of the financial statements. I learned how to construct those financial statements in my sleep. At work, I can produce instant financial statements with a couple of mouse clicks. There is always room for error in any profession but the computer has greatly reduced the human error element of accounting. The accounting profession has transformed immensely over the years. There is a wide variety of career paths a person can pursue with an accounting degree. Public accounting is only one option. Many people go into industry and work for a company as a financial analyst, internal auditor, controller, or even CFO. Heck, even the FBI actively recruits accountants to be investigators. Florida Atlantic University (AACSB), for example, offers a DL masters degree in forensic accounting, if that's your interest. Accounting is one of the most in-demand professions out there right now. The passage of Sarbanes-Oxley increased the need for corporate accountants substantially. Some accountants jokingly call Sarbanes-Oxley the "Accountants Full-Employment Act."
First question is up; thanks for any help and/or advice you can provide. [/QUOTE] >> You strike me as a more "right brained" type of person.
Heh! It's one of the reasons I am considering it. In this dire times, it's nice to have a little economic security. Your assessment is quite accurate. One of the reasons why I'm having so much trouble deciding on a career path is that, while my heart craves variety and creativity, my mind is quite rational, thriving in analysis and repetition. Not the best of combinations. What is it that they say, "a kingdom divided against itself...." Good luck.
Your assessment is quite accurate. One of the reasons why I'm having so much trouble deciding on a career path is that, while my heart craves variety and creativity, my mind is quite rational, thriving in analysis and repetition. Not the best of combinations. What is it that they say, "a kingdom divided against itself...." >> Ok, so the million dollar question is: creative ability + logic + analysis = ?
I think being creative is a GREAT attribute for a management analyst. Managers sometimes need help understanding various financial or process discussions and a creative mind finds way to explain trends in easy to understand graphical formats. If you're creative and like analysis, you would love being a management accountant in the right environment.
So what are the other two options? And what level degree (AS, BS, MS, Doctorate) are you thinking about?
That is a very good question. One that for almost 5 years, I've been unable to answer. It's worth checking out. Thanks. Geography and, oddly enough, religion, would be the other two. Whatever subject I end up choosing, my plan is to go as high as I can. That's why I need a degree that will hold my interest all the way to grad school. Have you been reading my diary, cook? Marketing (specifically, advertising) is probably my "dream job", and even lacking the necessary "people skills", it's something I'm quite good at. However, not the kind of career my family would approve. I actually finished 1/4th of a BBA in Marketing before becoming the "dropout" I am today. Even though I loved it (much to the chagrin of the 'rents), you could say I got bored. There was no challenge and even skipping half the classes, I was still in the upper 90% of the class. As I stated early, my heart was there, but my mind, was wandering somewhere else. And like Forrest Gump, "that's all I have to say about that".
