<p>I want to major in Accounting and in Finance in college. I am going to be attending Ball State this fall, and I was wondering what will help me get ahead of other students. I know leadership positions will help me greatly, but what about volunteer/charity work? I was pretty active in high school, and I was planning on volunteering for Best Buddies, United Way, and a couple other volunteer organizations along with joining the Finance and Accounting club that I'll join my Sophomore year. I am the first one to be going to college in my family, so any input or suggestions will be appreciated. </p>
<p>Cheers!
-Joseph</p>
<p>Try to focus on getting good grades. Clubs and volunteering come second. You’ll want and internship the summers after your sophomore and Jr. year. Start working on that the fall of your sophomore year. Focus first on work that relates to your career goals, then what is enjoyable and can make a good story, then other things. Internships are to learn about your field. So, they’re the opportunity to decide if you want to change your major and do something else, or if you like where you are. Not all of them are paid. Pay is not the ultimate goal, experience is. </p>
<p>Focus on your grades. GPA comes first.</p>
<p>GPA, internships, and hard skills are all that matter when you graduate.</p>
<p>Oh by the way, good job on being the first in family to go to college. I’m not the first in my family to go to college, but I will be the first to not get a useless degree (I hope).</p>
<p>GPAGPAGPAGPA</p>
<p>Mine was pretty good but not great. My leadership was amazing for extracurriculars but it won’t “make up” for a lacking GPA.</p>
<p>I agree that GPA should be your primary focus, but chances are that you’re going to want something besides school to do.</p>
<p>If you’re looking to volunteer or get involved, then I would first volunteer at a cool community place. After getting to know everybody there, I would offer to take over some of the business side of their operation, i.e. maybe help handle their financial records? If you’re a nice guy honestly just looking for some experience then I’m willing to bet that most community organizations would love helping you get some real world experience.</p>
<p>And who knows, maybe you could really make a difference in somebody’s life by doing this? I’d say that is far more valuable than whatever benefit you get on your resume.</p>