Saturday, May 26, 2012

When I grow up

GUYS.

I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up and it's kind of freaking me out.

For so long, my plan was Big 4. Now that I have decided I don't want to touch that with a ten foot pole, I'm left to wonder what else I could be.

I'm taking a personal finance class right now and have toyed with the idea of becoming a certified financial planner. I love the idea of being able to help people make smart financial decisions. I love that if friends/family members/church members approached me with questions, I would be able to give them informed advice. Part of me doesn't really want to do that as a career though... part of me just wants to get certified for my own sake, just so I can say I am. I guess it's not so much that I don't want to do it as a career, I just don't really know what options there are to do it as a career.

I've considered applying to investment companies like Edward Jones. This would involve being a financial adviser and would require some investments certification. Edward Jones doesn't recruit at BYU so I feel like it would be hard to get my foot in the door.

I've considered going to work in the accounting company of a big corporation. It wouldn't be the most glamorous work (wait, compared to what? Compared to working 60 hours a week? I'd say it's pretty glamorous compared to that). It would probably be very boring, but it would pay the bills and put some experience on my resume. You have to start somewhere.

I've considered working for the government. State governments have auditing departments. Working for the government seems like it would be a sweet deal.

I hate not knowing what is going to happen. I wish I could start the application process right now, but it's too early - no one wants to hire this far out.

I've considered just doing nothing. Is it a waste of my education if I don't work right after college, but rather start having kids?

That brings up another concern - the whole reason I was doing the master's program was for the Big 4. The Big 4 want all of their employees to be CPA eligible, and a master's degree means you are CPA eligible everywhere. Plus, with so many master's degree applicants, you really have to stand out to be considered if you just have a bachelor's degree. But I'm not doing the Big 4 anymore. I will be CPA eligible when I graduate based on the number of credits and the types of classes I've taken. The master's program is way expensive (well, expensive compared to normal BYU tuition). Is it really worth the money and potential student loans to get a degree I don't really need anymore? Really, the only reason for me to get my master's is because I want it. Are my wants worth $7,000?

4 comments:

  1. Yes, finish your degree. Just because you don't know where you want to be now does not mean that you won't know where you want to be soon. No matter what route you take, focus more on the enjoyment you will have from doing such job (including being a mother). Your education will never be wasted, by default just going through the program makes you excellent.

    Megan, you will figure it out!!!

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  2. Another vote for yes here! I can't add to the previous comments they said it so perfectly.
    It will cost less to get your degree now. Education and loan interset ratesonly go up over time.
    You are a smart and beautiful. i know you will make the best decision for you and your family.

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  3. Finish. Even if you want a job that doesn't require a master's in accounting it will still help you stand out next to others. And $7,000? For real? Do it. You'll figure life out soon enough. And no it's not bad if you want to start having kids right away. That decision is between you, Greg and Heavenly Father. Whatever choice you make in the long run will be the right one. I'm sure of it :)

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  4. That's a really tough question. I'm leaning towards not doing it if you're not going to use it. You'd be an awesome financial planner!! But as these other people have said, it would look AWESOME on a resume and you want to do it...so go for it!!!

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