<p>I'm a bit stuck right now in life and was wondering if any of the adults here could give me some advice perhaps? </p>
<p>I graduated from a respected state school about 1.5 years ago with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Business (mistake #1!) and bounced from internship to internship and temp job to temp job. Right now I'm working as a receptionist with administrative duties at a property management firm.</p>
<p>My job is temp to perm and I'm not sure it will last. Since this is a pattern - I'm considering going back to school now rather than later. Unfortunately I'm no longer interested in law (or at least not passionate enough to drop so much money on an the education with the legal sector the way it is...) nor am I cut out to teach. </p>
<p>I've been thinking about getting a 2nd bachelor's degree in accountancy (I've worked in A/P and continue to have some duties as a receptionist) or try to apply for a Master's . I do have some issues, though, that may prevent me from being accepted into a graduate program (or law school for the sake of argument). During my sophomore year, I had some extreme, chronic medical issues and, in addition,was grappling with addiction.</p>
<p>Instead of taking time off, I stayed enrolled...and I took a few semester's worth of W's even though I logically knew I was in no condition to be enrolled in university. So my GPA is fine (3.72) but I have approx. 20 Ws on my transcript. I've also yet to take the GRE or GMAT but am currently study and do tend to score fairly well on standardized tests. </p>
<p>Sorry - back on track...anyone have any advice as to what to do? What with my withdrawals and liberal arts degree. Would applying for law school/a graduate program be a waste of time or should I try my hand at 2nd bachelors in Accounting considering money isn't too much of a factor in this instance. Is there another route to enter that's experiencing some demand and satisfying industry or am I maybe stuck, because of my background, answering calls?</p>
<p>Apologies for the for the long. I'm very depressed, confused and stuck right now. I appreciate any and all advice very, very much!</p>
<p>Thanks for asking. My DUI case was dismissed at the very first disposition actually. The case was ridiculously, extremely paper thin. Fortunately it’s not a concern because the case was expunged.</p>
<p>And yes, I am taking courses at the same school I wrote of (the University of South Florida) as a non-degree student. At USF, as a non-degree, I can never get the sequences I need because I’m not a priority student. Doing courses one by one is taking forever particularly when coupled with having difficulty getting courses I need. </p>
<p>Hence my endless deliberation over continuing as I am, starting a 2nd bachelor’s program or trying my hand at a graduate program unrelated to Accounting.</p>
<p>I would probably simply explain, if you needed to, that the Ws were due to a medical issue and that you’ve since recovered fully. You don’t have to say more. But that assumes you are applying to something, which I think is premature in your case. You don’t sound like you really know what you want to do.</p>
<p>With reference to next steps forward, take a look at What Color is My Parachute as a starting point, if you haven’t already. I’d also suggest you start doing informational interviews of alums from your college who are in fields that look potentially interesting, employees at your current and former organizations doing jobs that you like, and family friends and neighbors who also have jobs you think could be of interest. You are not hitting them up for a job here - you are asking questions about what they like most about their jobs, what they like least, how they prepared for that career, what the future potential is in that field, what advice they would give to someone who was interested in starting in their field, etc…(If you are sufficiently well prepared, you may find this networking produces interesting results of it’s own. I had two job offers as a result this process - albeit in a better economy than this one.)</p>
<p>The goal here is to learn more about potential careers before you commit to obtaining a graduate degree in that area at great personal expense. Talk to lawyers, talk to accountants, etc…</p>
<p>The step after that is to be really focused in your choice of internships and temp jobs so you build a resume from which to apply for permanent positions or to grad school. Have no fear of waiting a few years - many people take several years after college to decide what’s next (I took 7 years and I wasn’t that unusual.)</p>
<p>I agree, I think you need to figure out what industry you want to be in and what type of position appeals to you, then look at heading back to school for any more degree related work. I’m not convinced that 2 BA/BS degrees are of much value. If you want to stay in business look for an MBA program with a concentration that interests you. You aren’t “stuck” you are employed full time you are in your first “real” job.</p>
<p>Hi SisypheanTask~
Given your description as to your education/work experience up to this point in time…my two cents:
1/Look for ways to exceed the expectations of your current employer. This should help if you need a referral in the future.
2/Create a resume that highlights your background in A/P
3/Look for a position in an accounting firm that would give you an opportunity to work in that field
4/After securing a position with an accounting firm, give notice to your current employer
5/Work in the accounting firm for a minimum of 1.5 years, then begin to consider going graduate school in business.
I hope this timeline proves helpful.
~APOL-a Mum</p>
<p>OP- you do realize there are millions of grownups who earn a living doing something other than accounting, teaching or law, right?</p>
<p>Don’t spend money on grad school applications- let alone grad school- with a vague sense of what you don’t want to do. Spend the money when you find something you are passionate about.</p>
<p>Agree that reaching out to alums to start informational interviews is a good way to start. And there are probably hundreds of jobs you’d be good at where they won’t care about your transcript. Event planning/hospitality/sales/PR…</p>
<p>Don’t compound your first mistake with a second degree in something you don’t want to do.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who’s taken the time out to give advice… </p>
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<p>Oh I agree with you, and the consensus here, that I am absolutely not ready for graduate school - financially or emotionally. What little work in accounting/finance I’ve done (mostly in accounts payable) does very much interest me but law, human resources and planning have all turned my head at various points in just the last year. </p>
<p>As far as obtaining a second degree, it was just something I looked into because I’m extremely worried about all the Ws on my transcript and if I’ll even have a shot at graduate school down the line because of the mistakes I made in the past.</p>
<p>Thank you and M’s Mom both in regards to the informational interviews. Sounds exactly like what I need right now and I’ll be looking to set-up a session right away.</p>
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<p>Thank you much, I’ll certainly try to stick to this track if I continue with accounting. Though these ‘steps’ would be useful for many careers! </p>
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<p>Thanks M’s Mom, your reply was extremely insightful! The Ws are of huge concern for me since I feel like that could prevent me from even being accepted to graduate school. Or, well, at least being accepted to even a decent program. In the meantime, however, I won’t be applying to any programs. Not until I’m firm in my decision. </p>
<p>I’ve talked to some family friends in informal settings about employment but I’ll take the time to set-up a formal meet with those willing. In addition, I’ll certainly start look into informational interviews with alum.</p>
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<p>I know two bachelor degrees doesn’t have much value either. I thought of it more as a lateral move to help me break into higher positions in accounting. So I’d only be using the BAcc to help change gears…</p>
<p>I think entering an MBA program is a better idea though. However I’m curious how to go about getting the standard 3 years of relevant work experience admissions looks for when, right now, I’m only stringing various temp jobs together that are only loosely related. </p>
<p>To clarify the “stuck” comment btw: I meant that I primarily feel ‘stuck’ emotionally. I believe it’s a “quarter life crisis’” heh. I’d like to have a career eventually and yet I have little to no idea what to do next so I can eventually attain my goals (whatever they may be - lol!). At the same time, I’m very, very grateful to have steady work when many people can’t find anything, anywhere. </p>
<p>Though I won’t be applying to any grad programs this next cycle (that goes without saying!), further education is a goal I do have in sight. I have some concerns with the full semester withdrawals on my transcripts. ** M’s mom ** made an excellent point to simply explain that the Ws were due to my medical issues. </p>
<p>Does anyone else have advice with this matter even though applying may be years off? I feel as though I’m screwed even when I do figure out for sure what area I’d like to study further. Could 3 full semester withdrawals (ouch! hurts to even type that…) kill me in the app. process - even if the rest of my undergraduate career, and hopefully test scores, is solid? </p>
<p>Again, thanks to all who responded and who might respond. I do apologize for my penchant to ramble btw!</p>
<p>How about a certificate at a community college, in the areas of accounting and bookkeeping?
Many people get a BA and then do a certificate program, at community college or elsewhere. All sorts of certificates are offered at various schools, for example, holistic health, fundraising, paralegal work, graphic design, paralegal, you name it.</p>
<p>It sounds like your medical issues were not handled well, in terms of accommodations and in terms of the way the school handled your withdrawals. It is possible that with adequate documentation from MD’s, the school could make your transcript a little cleaner, getting rid of some of the “W”'s.</p>
<p>Pick a skill that you are interested in and start training in it. You might find a job in that field before you even finish (which does happen). It might not take a masters degree, it might take some sort of licensing training. </p>
<p>Listen, the more positive experience you can garner over time, the less important the more ‘distant’ past becomes. When you do decide what you want to do, make sure you get the experience and those to recommend you and really try to bring in good test scores (GMAT, GRE, or whatever). Graduate schools are more interested in what you will do while there, based on what you have done as a whole. Those W’s from one year in your past are only one small piece of an entire package. You have control over the essays and can use the adversity to show resilience and overcoming obstacles. Don’t focus on the W’s, focus on why it won’t ever happen again.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if your medical issues are chronic or recurring, and can be documented, then try to make it so that the school has some responsibility for helping you avoid withdrawals in the future. Did you have any accommodations at the school you were attending when you did all those withdrawals.</p>
<p>Students with chronic issues cannot promise that illness will never happen again. They need to register with the school disabilities office and get help that enables them to finish classes, despite illness, and also supports medical leaves when necessary, in a way that does not leave the transcript in shambles.</p>
<p>I’ve given thought to obtaining a certificate of some sort. I’m mostly interested in governmental accounting and, at least in the area I live in right now, the post-bacc certificate in accounting requires 10 core courses. That’s basically the equivalent of what I’m doing now while taking pre-reqs with the intention of going on to a Master’s. I’ll look into transferring what I have (I’m in Intermediate II) into a Certificate program, though, so at the least I have something to show for when all is said and done.</p>
<p>I know the paralegal certificates are essentially required to work as paralegal now in my state. But I do worry, perhaps too much, because the legal sector is experiencing no growth. Lawyers are now working as legal assistants, after all. But I will go back and look into other certificates to see if something catches my eye and do research in those areas. </p>
<p>Regarding the medical withdrawals, well I’m not really sure if they were handled well or not?I always assumed my school just had strict policies. They did everything by the book and left all the Ws on my transcript. I also had to present nearly a thousand pages of medical documentation, hospital stays, treatment, etc. just for administration to acknowledge the semester withdrawals were medical in nature. But there was no cleaning up of my transcript or anything. Not even a notation that the Ws were medical in nature (and 4 Ws were actually never even cleared as medical!). I was refunded my scholarship money and, hypothetically, down the line someone in graduate admissions can fact check my story and see that I’m not lying. That’s it though! I wish there was more that could be done…</p>
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<p>Great idea but to be honest I don’t even know where to start or even look. I’ve been so set on accounting (and law before that) that I’m a little out of loop here. Nonetheless, I’ll start looking into what skills are in demand and the respective certifications needed for such jobs. </p>
<p>I’ll admit that a part of me wants to see accounting through since I’m in the intermediate sequence and could technically start to applying this cycle for Master’s program. And yet general confusion, fear of my past, etc., etc. is stopping me- rightly or wrongly. </p>
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<p>I really am hoping the more distance between the incidents’s will help me out. That’s part of what I’m trying to do with taking and doing well in the non-degree courses in Accounting and also working/volunteering for work in accounts payable, etc. at my firm. I suppose I can only keep building on things like that. I guess my concern is that I have 20 Ws (4 semesters worth!). I know I shouldn’t fixate on that but it makes me want to give up on pursuing accountancy and go the certificate route or something where my undergraduate record doesn’t matter. </p>
<p>Thanks for the insight. One question I have though (and it’s a while off, I know), but is the essay section where I should write about overcoming adversity or is that something better served for an addendum ? </p>
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<p>My case is pretty unique. I had several things going on at once for those two or so years. I had crohn’s go undiagnosed (and polyps - very painful!), a learning disability (dysgraphia as well as OCD) and issues with addiction stemming from a lot from the physical and mental pain I was experiencing. </p>
<p>I had accommodations for my OCD (extended time) but that’s it. The dysgraphia went undiagnosed until this year and I honestly had no idea I could have anything done via the disability center with the crohn’s (which also went undiagnosed until I was 22 and out of UF) C’est la vie. </p>
<p>I will make sure the disability resource center at USF knows about the crohn’s. Do you, or anyone else, think there is any way I can retroactively approach the administration at UF (my alma mater) about these matters? It would be nice to clean up at least some of my undergrad transcript!</p>
<p>If anyone else has something to add or respond to after getting through this here novel I just wrotel, it’d be much appreciated! If not, thanks to everyone for the suggestions and information! I’ve taken all that’s been said to heart.</p>
<p>I was just going to suggest that you use your current position to try to gain more experience in areas you are interested in, such as accounting. That is great that you are already trying to get more experience in accounting in your present job. Volunteer to assist the accounting department when people are on vacation etc. Maybe try to help out marketing or computer science or another department. You may find out you like something else more.</p>
<p>Many people do not figure out what they really want to do until they are at least 30 years old. Your twenties are time to explore so try not to panic. You are doing the right thing by keeping your current job and expanding your skills - that will give you the work experience you might need.</p>
<p>I think you will work it out - it is a process that takes time.</p>
<p>I think it’s important not to panic and commit to something too fast-- especially something that will cost you a lot of money like a second degree. You CAN make the same mistake twice.</p>
<p>That said, my degree is in political science and I’ve found I have options in a fairly wide variety of industries. I was also lucky enough to find a position with a company that is very open to letting you move around to different departments and try different things, really anything you can prove you’re good at once your foot is in the door. I worked kind of an iffy job there for a year to prove I was valuable and then just recently moved to something better that I like and can really advance far in very quickly. I wonder if you’ve really exhausted all your favorable options with your current degree. I almost went back to school, for accounting actually, and in my case I didn’t because I couldn’t afford it and that turned out to be for the best.</p>