Accounting major but now dislike it/Looking into Law Enforcement

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>Hi everyone I'm new to the boards here. Basically I'm 21 years old and approaching my senior yr as an accounting major. I became an accounting major at the beginning of my junior yr mostly due to job opportunities, job security, (then again what job is secure today..),and somewhat of an interest in the coursework. I received good grades and thought that I would actively pursue this for a career, but as the classes carried on into the more nitty gritty material ( material that is covered on CPA exam) my interest faded and realized that I did not enjoy any of it. Nevertheless I forced myself to go to class and long before my interest faded i applied and was accepted to several leadership programs hosted by various mid-size and Big 4 firms here in New York where your invited down to the offices and interview with members of top management. The vibes, the culture, just the workplace left an unsettling feeling with me. Now I don't mean in any way to bash the profession; I have the utmost respect for anyone who gets up day after day and works for a living but it seems to me that most of the people I met at these firms as well as my fellow classmates are only in it for the money. Everyones working for the weekend. I love going out on the weekends as well but I would still like getting up everyday during the week enjoying my job! Like I said, its just my opinion but behind the free giveaway bags with the company names, big catered lunches, and mahogany desks, I didn't see much passion. So basically I have plans to pursue other avenues. </p>

<p>At this point, I am about 12 credits away from my Bachelors in Accounting so I really don't think it would make sense to change majors. My question is, are there any other accounting majors out there in similar situations? Like I have mentioned, I'm really interested in Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice. I have taken the exam for NYPD and plan on taking several more local police exams. I also intend on landing an internship with one of the various federal or local agencies to get a feel for it. Grad school in this area has also been a consideration as well.</p>

<p>To sum it up, is it common for students to change paths after receiving their bachelors. And I mean completely different paths! How does it look with regards to job prospects if a bachelor's degree is obtained in a certain field but without ever getting any work experience in it.</p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>Here’s where I’m coming from: I’m 23 and plan to major in Accounting (currently working in this field w/o the degree, but can’t advance anywhere without it, so I went back to school).</p>

<p>

Wanting a good work-life balance is normal. Even at 22 I knew I didn’t want to go into the B4 eventhough that’s supposed to be the way to go as an Accounting undergrad because I want to be able to actually spend time and experience things with my wife, family and friends.</p>

<p>

Have you looked into Criminal Investigations (CI) for the IRS? They are considered Federal Law Enforcement (FLE) and go through the same training as all other FLE jobs in the 1811 series (excluding FBI). They’re very LE oriented like serving search warrants and developing an investigation.</p>

<p>Also, since you’re in the NY area I’d recommend looking into the SEC as well. I’m not sure if you can go right into an investigation-type position right away (probably depend on experience), but you can consider being a Securities Compliance Tech to start out and gain some examination or investigation experience before apply to a higher position within that agency.</p>

<p>Also look at the state and local government routes. Many bigger municipalities have their own audit or tax agencies that can get you into a LE line of career.</p>

<p>Or, like you’ve mentioned you can go local police force like NYPD which is more LE than audit, tax, or accounting and not a mix like the suggestions above. This is more a direct LE line that you will not be able to use your accounting education in - if you care for such an aspect.</p>

<p>

Is it? /sarcasm
It’s very common. Not among Engineering majors or some specific things like that (though it happens), but yeah, I know bio majors that work as event planners, so . . .</p>

<p>

I don’t see any problem with it when applying for jobs so long as you meet the vacancy reqs. I’d also mention that once you do gain job experience then employers care less about the education. And the more experience, the less they care about the education.</p>

<p>Would you have time to possibly pick up a minor in CJ or AJ to possibly help you along?</p>

<p>You can also consider obtaining a bookkeeper position and try it part-time while doing an internship with Fed or local agency, or local PI firm to gain some experience while bringing in a little income if needed.</p>

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<p>You have an interesting philosophy. Just curious, is there something wrong with making money? Isn’t that the reason why all of us are in school and trying to get a job? To essentially make a good income and to live our little lives?</p>

<p>Most people would give anything to be in your situation, where you are being invited to Big 4 programs and may potentially secure a full time associate position with them. Why would you give this up?</p>

<p>A job doesn’t have to be your DREAM job. That’s why it’s called work. You can still work and enjoy your life. Your coworkers may be fun to talk to, company events might be fun to go to, and you can always freely pursue your true passions during your time off. I know the Big 4 works you hard, but you do have time off. During your time off, go do what you want. Write a book, paint something, or build a computer, or whatever your passion is.</p>

<p>Being a police officer is fine, if that’s what you want, but don’t think of it as an easy escape from the boredom of the real world. Your life isn’t going to be chasing down high profile criminals everyday. You’re more likely to just be dealing with lousy drivers and thugs with bad attitudes. That sounds soooooo fun and stress free right?</p>

<p><quote>“Wanting a good work-life balance is normal. Even at 22 I knew I didn’t want to go into the B4 eventhough that’s supposed to be the way to go as an Accounting undergrad because I want to be able to actually spend time and experience things with my wife, family and friends.”</quote></p>

<p>I just want to comment on this. I’m 21 and I have a handful of friends working at the Big 4. They do work more than your 40 hour week, but not as much as you think. Most of the time, they work 50 hours a week. During tax season, they work 80 hours, but that’s only for 3 months. My friends are totally able to spend time and experience things with their friends and families. Also, they only plan on working there for 2-3 years and then quitting. Most people do, as they only use the Big 4 as a stepping stone in their careers. It seems to be that “wanting to spend time with wife, family, friends” is an insufficient reason for a 21/22 year old kid to suddenly quit accounting, especially when most 21 year olds don’t have families or major responsibilities of their own.</p>

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<p>

Just relating my like feelings and experiences with the OP.</p>

<p>BTW, not every 21/22 y/o is the same and some should probably not be called kids. Not offended, just pointing out that some 21 or 22 y/o have been places and have seen or done things that most grown “men” or “women” have not in which case spending time with spouse, friends and family constitutes a very good reason for a lot of things in their lives.</p>

<p>In case the OP doesn’t notice, I’m actually not telling them to quit Acct all together to get to a place they might enjoy (i.e. the recs for IRS CI and SEC), but it is up to the OP to decide where they want to be and what makes them happy.</p>

<p>

Just curious, does the B4 pay overtime for that, or are emplyees salaried? In other sectors you’re guaranteed to work 40 hrs/wk and not a minute more - lest the employer pays for the overtime or credit time for you to take off for later.</p>

<p>For some reason I remember reading that the B4 typically salary an employee, so when you’re working >40/wk you’re pay is being spread out thinner among more hours and your relative pay per the hour is smaller than those who are salaried for a strict 40. I could be wrong on the salary status though, I admit.</p>

<p>Anyway OP, I’ll reitterate that there are some jobs and positions in Acct that do not require you to go extensively into the Acct material and also allow for some LE mix. That’s what I would suggest for you to look into. Otherwise, if you find you’ll be happy as a beat cop on the streets (to start anyway, and that does involve some boring days or a fair amount of paperwork), then you have the freedom to pursue that as well, but bear in mind that you will not be utilizing the Acct skills you have now acquired, unless it’s balancing your checkbook.</p>

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<p>FBI is the way to go for OP. Straight off the FBI website:</p>

<p>"All applicants for the Special Agent position must first qualify under one of five Special Agent Entry Programs. These programs include:</p>

<pre><code>Accounting
Computer Science/Information Technology
Language
Law
Diversified"
</code></pre>

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<p>

</p>

<p>No, it’s not. The reason I’m in school is to pursue a career that makes me happy, that makes me feel as if I’m doing something meaningful on this planet. Park rangers don’t get rich, and I don’t care a bit.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Some people have different work-life values than your own and their work-life values are equally valid as yours.</p>

<p>The majority of a person’s waking hours for the better part of their adult life will be spent at work. Someone who wants to spend that time in a way that is enjoyable, challenging, interesting and self-fulfilling is to be admired.</p>

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<p>

Not to mention people who choose that route may be more likely to succeed at what they do, rather than hating life so never giving their all for it.</p>

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<p>But I also think you’re looking at it in black and white. There are people that love their jobs, but that doesn’t mean that people that don’t love their jobs must hate their jobs. There are also those people who are “okay” with their jobs. Like me. And everyone works for money. If work wasn’t paid, nobody would do it full time. How would you pay rent or afford to eat?</p>

<p>Anyways, if what OP says is true, I think he has a great opportunity to work in the accounting world for a Big 4, which is an oasis in this economy. I think the OP is a bit lost and isn’t sure of what he wants in life.</p>

<p>He says he’s interested in criminology/criminal justice and wants to be apart of the NYPD, but has never had an experience in it. So how does he know he likes it? Just like how he was “interested” in the accounting coursework, until he got to see what it really was and realized how uninteresting it was. Working in the legal/criminal justice field can be just as boring. There is a lot of paperwork and you often start off working behind a desk.</p>

<p>Also, the fact that OP mentioned graduate school in this field just shows how little he knows about it. How many police or probation officers do you know that have MBAs, phDs, or Master degrees? And no, it is not necessary to have a graduate degree to become a Major or Captain or Chief.</p>

<p>And lastly OP, people that work in the NYPD or FBI or IRS look forward to the weekend just as much as Big 4 accountants. If you think all NYPD cops are totally passionate about their jobs, you’re in for a big disappointment.</p>

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<p>There are a lot of police officers at higher levels that have master’s degrees. Particularly if you’re talking about federal law enforcement agencies. Advanced education and training is highly valued - particularly given the increasingly-complex enforcement responsibilities of federal agents in finance, international terrorism, smuggling, natural resource protection, etc.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Yes, but money is not the first thing everyone works for, or thinks about. As a federal land management agency employee, I may never go beyond GS-11 ($62-81,000) wages. That’s enough to make a comfortable living. Even GS-9 ($51-67,000) is a good solid middle-class job.</p>

<p>I don’t aspire to a life of wealth and luxury. Sounds like the OP doesn’t, either.</p>

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<p>That’s fine and and I honestly think it’s most important to not HATE your job. I don’t think you necessarily need to love your job, just at the very least as long you are okay with it and are content with the people you work with.</p>

<p>Don’t forget though, you might enjoy doing something, but doing it everyday can be annoying, just like eating your favorite food everyday can be disgusting. It’s also impossible to love every aspect of your job, which is why I always thought that “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” phrase is non-sense. Lastly, what you love to do now may not be necessarily what you love to do 25 years from now. 10 years ago, I loved to play Pokemon on my Gameboy. Today, not so much.</p>

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<p>hey everyone. Thank you so much for your quick replies. You all brought up some solid points that i have been considering.</p>

<p>notaznguy- your 100 percent right… just as I “liked” accounting at first, I now express an interest in a different field. As I have said… that is where I hope an internship could give me some experience. As far as graduate degrees in criminal justice/criminology I actually know of quite a few people involved in law enforcement where obtaining a masters was required and/or recommended for advancement through the ranks- as polarscribe mentioned as well. Is it necessary to move up the ranks? Of course not. Depends on how far you want to go up. I know others on the job who gained substantial undercover experience on the job and have become detectives. No masters. Ultimately, I really don’t see it hurting me “if” I did pursue grad school in that area. Also, there is no problem with making money. I enjoy making money (who doesent?) but when considering career choices, I guess I put more emphasis on job satisfaction and purpose rather then salary. </p>

<p>Thanks guys!</p>

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<p>Do people change careers? Absolutely.</p>

<p>Now for the rest of your post. Is your objection to accounting the people/culture of the accounting firms, or the work itself? If the latter, then find a different career. If the former, then …</p>

<p>Stick with it. Put in your 2 years at an accounting firm, and earn your CPA. Think of it like you are earning your master’s degree. You have the added benefit of being able to take the extra money you earn to payoff FAST your student loans. With your CPA, and your student loans paid off, then you call the shots - you are a free bird to do as you like.</p>

<p>Life in a municipality’s accounting department is an 8-5 (more or less) job. Not 70+ hours of an accounting firm, but neither do you earn their pay. But, you will have a life, and earn something close, on an hourly equivalent. I believe in a corporation’s accounting department, life is a little in-between. You put in maybe 50+ hours, get paid for it, but still have a life (except around quarter and year-end, when they have to close the books, prepare the audit, etc.).</p>

<p>There is a reason that accountants are in demand, and not all of them are going to the big 4 accounting firms.</p>

<p>BTW: If you are looking for alternative careers, look into Finance positions. A lot of finance people barely know the accounting. A finance person with an accounting background … priceless.</p>