Soul searching

[Root beer]

You ever wonder if you ever made the right decision in life? For instance, after high school graduation, I wasn't 100% sure why I wanted go to college. I thought about going culinary school or trade school. Then one night I decided I like business and wanted be good at it, therefore, I chose accounting. 2.5 years later and being inducted into the accounting honor society I have second thoughts on whether if this is what I want out of life.

Some nights I feel like I have to force myself to study. I just wonder if I'd be happier doing something else, I mean I don't hate accounting or finance altogether, but I just feel I could be even happier doing something else...

I don't know...

[KU_Bassmaster.]

YES. Almost exactly the same as you.

Went to college not knowing what I wanted to do thinking I would "figure it out". Never really happened so the time came when I had to pick. Like you I chose to enter the business school and from there chose accounting never really liking it, but it came fairly easy to me until the last year when I absolutely started to dread it. During my last 2 years there were some times when classes I needed to take to graduate were not offered so I had to take some "fill classes". I always kind of had an interest in graphic design stuff so I took a few classes. Loved it and put in the kind of effort I should have been putting into my accounting classes. Like going above and beyond and always wanting to learn more. If I had to go back in time I still would have probably finished up my Accounting degree (solely because I was so close), but also stayed in school and pursued something in graphic design. Probably would have taken another 2 years minimum, but worth it to be doing something I enjoyed. Fast forward 3 years and working in the "accounting/finance" field and I am looking for something else. :-/

My suggestion is if you have that itch for something else .... scratch it!!!

[shootermcbob]

If you don't know what it is that you would be happier doing, and it sounds like you do not, FINISH your degree. You will be able to get out into the world and do many things with that degree. With that degree, many doors will open for you, and you may end up doing something completely different, but the degree is a must.

It is normal to have to force yourself to study. I recently went back to school at 45, and even though I thoroughly enjoy my current coursework, I still have to at times make myself study.

Congratulations on your induction into the Honor Society.

[Lund Explorer]

Have I ever wondered if I made the right choice?  Yup!  Every December for the last twenty plus years as I'm burning off tax organizers for my clients!  Then those feelings would always slowly subside as clients would thank me for doing a good job for them.  Many new clients would come in each year simply because other people had told them that they could trust the work I did.  Aside from the feeling I would get looking at the balance in my checking account at the end of each April, the knowledge that so many people put a big part of their annual finances in my hands was humbling.

It didn't start out that way.  As a youngster, I had to be carried on the shirttails of the older guys who were already in that "zone" with their clients.  Might be a lot like what KU_Bassmaster is experiencing right now.  Building a solid book of clients took quite a few years, but I kept at it.  There are so many options open to having the shingle of Accountant, Tax Man, or Financial Advisor that a person with the drive can make a good living in this trade. 

Right now, you are at the halfway point in your college education.  It reminds me of the old trick question about how far a person can walk INTO the woods.  The answer is only halfway, because the rest of the walk is now going to take you OUT!  You making it onto the honor roll tells me that you have the grey matter it takes to learn, but you need to pair that with the desire to do so.  It's going to be the same thing when you finally enter the working part of your life in this field.  While tax or finance law changes will always force you to cram a little more into the brain pan, it will be your drive that gets tested the most.  The older you get, and as more clients start coming on board, it will get even more critical.  I don't think a lot of younger folks understand this part of the job.  It isn't like a lot of jobs where you simply punch a clock, or work in a large business where the guy next to you can take over while you're gone.  When you have built up a working relationship with a client, they will expect you to always be there...... ALWAYS!  So after all this rambling, I'll end up with some direct advice.

First, keep pounding away in the direction you're going, at least through the end of this coming spring.  Take the time to consider whether you have the desire to finish the next two years you'll need after that to get your degree.

Second, maybe spend a little time researching what other degrees are sitting out there that would put you into a career that you'd be happy working for 30+ years.  Scary thought huh?  If I remember correctly, you have said before that your goal was to get into the financial side of this game we play.  Is there another path you could take out of this forest you find yourself in?  You really aren't too far along where a change in direction would throw you behind, and an accounting minor would still look good on a resume.

Finally, don't make a mistake of trying to force yourself into a career that you won't enjoy.  While I'm just getting out of this rat race, I can say that for the most part it's been a really fun ride.  There have been a number of times I've asked myself "what if".  In the middle of the 1990's, I would wonder if maybe I should have just been happy with that GM factory job.  This thought somehow always came up while I was doing the tax return of some 55 year old Generous Motors retiree.  But today, I can look back at the last thirty some years and honestly say I wouldn't change much of it, even if I could have.  That's because you'll find out that the goals you set today will change as you get older and learn what it takes to make your life meaningful.  I hope when that day comes for you, that you'll be able to say the same thing.  It doesn't matter what job or jobs you've worked at, only that in the end, only that you have tried to live up to  the goals  you set for yourself.

Good Luck Kid!  I sort of wish I could be around to watch you take this crazy ride called life.  Just don't run too fast towards that membership in the OFFC!   

[Root beer]

There a class called Decision Science I'm struggling my arse off in that class. It's extremely hard to follow and hear the professor. Our last test, we had 6 problems and week and half to complete them and I still barely made a C. :-/ If I had that grade in my two accounting classes I would have to repeat the course or change my major. My midterm I had 3 As, 1 B and a C. I might end up with 2 As 2 Bs and a C. I definitely do not want do what I had to do in Decision Science in the future.... I might do Cost Accounting..I made a 100 on first test and after that it been a downward spiral. I can still make a B in the course if I do really well on final. My professor did say cost accounting is easier in real world than in classroom since you can see all the cost taking place.

I'm 21 years old and 3 semesters short of major in accounting and minor in finance...and it feels like I'm losing desire. Maybe I'm just burned out and need the winter break. I guess it time to kick off Hell Week..off to library. So long world. :-/

[grimlin]

Least you doing something. I still don't know what i want to do with my life. Factory work & family is all i got. =-/

Really starting to regret not going to college now.

[Tin]

Most people who know me say I have no soul.

But recently I have come to the conclusion that I want to go to med school. I enjoy what I'm doing, but there are other things I would enjoy more. I love school for some twisted reason and love learning, so I think it might be the right choice.

My sister is in culinary school and is loving it. The problem is she will most likely have to move to one of the cities to make any money with her degree and training.

Given that your first choices were to essentially work with your hands, I cannot picture you living behind a desk crunching numbers. Good luck though man..

I feel you on hell week, the only difference is that I have this weekend and Monday to study. Two exams Tuesday and two on Weds. I'm screwed for time...

[slonezp]

Tin, I don't know you and believe you have no soul.

First off, get your degree so you always have that and a skill to fall back. Nothing is set in stone on what any of us have to do in life. I never went to college. After high school I changed oil for a living. My son was born at 20. Drove a truck until I was 28 and decided If I'm going to get anywhere I need to change. I went to trade school and have become a relatively successful refrigeration mechanic, and I rehab houses on the side. I am ready for another change. I wake up with aches and pains every day of my life. My son is in college and has changed majors and has even brought up quitting and going to work. I keep telling him you want to be in pain like me when you're 40. Stay in school. There's something out there for everyone. Whatever choices you make, good or bad, you have to live with them. You can always change your mind, but you have to live with that also. I will say, if I had to do it all over agian I wouldn't change a thing. (Except for the whole being in pain thing 8-))

A friend of mine was a carpenter until he was 35 years old. He then went back to school and is an accountant/tax attorney.

[Stasher1]

Does your school offer anything in forensic accounting/fraud investigation? I just finished a Principles of Fraud Examination class that seems like it would be more entertaining than just crunching numbers all day...

I'm a criminal justice major, so I found it all rather boring, but the accountants in the class found it fascinating.

[bilgerat]

Tin, I don't know you and believe you have no soul.

First off, get your degree so you always have that and a skill to fall back. Nothing is set in stone on what any of us have to do in life. I never went to college. After high school I changed oil for a living. My son was born at 20. Drove a truck until I was 28 and decided If I'm going to get anywhere I need to change. I went to trade school and have become a relatively successful refrigeration mechanic, and I rehab houses on the side. I am ready for another change. I wake up with aches and pains every day of my life. My son is in college and has changed majors and has even brought up quitting and going to work. I keep telling him you want to be in pain like me when you're 40. Stay in school. There's something out there for everyone. Whatever choices you make, good or bad, you have to live with them. You can always change your mind, but you have to live with that also. I will say, if I had to do it all over agian I wouldn't change a thing. (Except for the whole being in pain thing 8-))

A friend of mine was a carpenter until he was 35 years old. He then went back to school and is an accountant/tax attorney.

D*mn slonezp, took the words out of my mouth. I had a hundred jobs throughout my late teens / early twenties. College was not an option for me. I became a mechanic at 28. I'm 46 now and at times I feel 86. I spent 14 hours on a crude oil barge last Thursday in 25* with a howling wind off of the river. Sound fun ? I make good $ doing what I do, but I thank God I have daughters. I would never let my son follow me into my career. I always joked if I had a son and saw him with a wrench in his hand I'd beat him with it until he crapped himself.

Rootbeer, don't throw away an opportunity ever.

[Root beer]

Does your school offer anything in forensic accounting/fraud investigation? I just finished a Principles of Fraud Examination class that seems like it would be more entertaining than just crunching numbers all day...

I'm a criminal justice major, so I found it all rather boring, but the accountants in the class found it fascinating.

Funny you mention this, because the other day in our honor society we had someone come speak to us about accounting frauds. The guy has a Certified Fraud Examiner license and he talked about all these ways someone can commit frauds and basic of detection and how much money fraud cost companies and individuals, etc.

Auditing is closest thing my school offers to forensic accounting. I don't know if the criminal justice department has that class, but the accounting department do not offer it.

[Stasher1]

Our school offers this particular class to CRJ majors, but it's an accounting class. Actually, they recently made it a requirement to graduate with an ACC degree.

[WdyCrankbait]

Personally, I think it is good that you are questioning yourself and likes about the future.  You are starting to be "self-aware."  Keep going with school, finish up and get the degree, that will be a great feather in your cap.  I would say also, give yourself a reward after you finish school. Say, fishing trip somewhere exclusive, or some place you would never go before. 

Nothing wrong with not knowing what your passionate about.  That is one step closer to finding something you are passoniate about.

[Stasher1]

Don't forget about the FBI. They like to hire accountants.

[Root beer]

Don't forget about the FBI. They like to hire accountants.

I can't do field work. I'll be the guy analyzing the work and hand it over to someone else to make the arrest.

[Redlinerobert]

I think it's human nature to question your choices.  I changed my major several times before I ended up in Economics.

Even now, having been in Real Estate and Finance for close to 20 years, I wonder where I'd be if I had stayed with my original choice, which was medicine.

[tyrius.]

I graduated with an accounting degree and worked for Andersen in their Computer Risk Consulting group.  School is nothing like work.  If you were interested in a field at the beginning then you'll likely enjoy working in that field when you graduate.  Upper level accounting classes are a drag and excruciatingly boring.

Slog through it and go work for a public accounting/consulting firm for a while.  After that you'll have a TON of choices and experiences and be able to decide what you want. 

[bassdocktor]

Redline is right, everyone questions their choices at some point. My friends in med school do and I've done it while in pharmacy school. I had alot of other friends who are done with school and still trying to figure out what to do.

It was hard for me because I got into pharm school after 3 years and while I was basically starting pharm school my friends were all graduating and getting jobs. Even though you know you're going to be doing really well when you graduate its hard when you start to see all your friends making money and you are going into debt.

Also, it seems that alot of time classes are alot different than the actual work you will be doing. Just something to keep in mind.

[Root beer]

I graduated with an accounting degree and worked for Andersen in their Computer Risk Consulting group. School is nothing like work. If you were interested in a field at the beginning then you'll likely enjoy working in that field when you graduate. Upper level accounting classes are a drag and excruciatingly boring.

Slog through it and go work for a public accounting/consulting firm for a while. After that you'll have a TON of choices and experiences and be able to decide what you want.

Tell me about it....The Decision Science class is mainly the one that really ticking me off. lol. I can't even study nor analyze it..It's ridiculous...