I am a sophomore at SF state. I am fourteen classes (1.5 years) away from graduating with a degree in Accounting. Heres the problem though, I sort of just fell into the accounting major without really thinking about it. After taking classes towards it for a year I realized that I am not sure I want to be a business major. I might end up wanting to do that, but I kind of want to explore engineering and architecture first. The other detail is that my grades have been exceptional and have over a 3.9 GPA, so I could transfer to a better school. The question is, in your opinion, do you think I should go to a local CC, and take classes in whatever I please until I am sure what I want to do? Eventually I would transfer out to a better university. The problem is this plan would take three years. Or, should I just finish with what Ive started since Im already pretty close. Im just trying to get people's opinion wherever I can. Thanks for the help.
Tough to say, I think you have a better chance of going to a better program at ahold school if you finish your degree first instead of going backwards to CC. Also, it could come in handy later in life, though there's no way to see how yet, it will.
Do you want to waste a year and half of your life doing something that you don't want to spend the rest of your life doing? While it is possible to come back and finish up accounting later if you want to, you can't get a year and a half of your life back if you change your mind. That said, there are other things to take into consideration such as financial and personal well-being, and tons of people end up in work that is unrelated to their degree anyway. But if you can get by without a ton of money then by all means, pursue the area you are being drawn to. Also, maybe try to set up some job shadows in all three of those areas to see what it would be like outside of classes.
Shadowing is a great idea. And I agree that IF you know what area you are passionate about pursuing, you do it.... but if you are just unclear and not sure what you want to do at all... I'd consider finishing the degree, even if by teleclass or whatever if the last few credits can be done elsewhere... or travel and 'find yourself' while finishing it gradually.... maybe go somewhere very different or introspective, where you have always dreamt of going and see if THAT doesn;t inspire you to see a path for yourself.
completely agree wth BPK and 2k5. If you are just overall unsure as to what you want to do in life, then finish your degree as is. Almost every person at your time in life is overall unsure as to what they want to do in life. Just because you graduate with a degree in Accounting does not at ALL limit you to only that field. That said, if you think you really hate accounting, and DO know what to do, go talk to your dean or adviser about either switching majors or transferring. Most advisers really are in it to help you, and they aren't going to give you bad advice. If the best thing really is to transfer schools, they will support you in that quest and even help you to find the right place where you need to be. What I'm trying to say is, don't freak out if it is just a small thought about maybe you don't want to do this now. Every day people go to medical school who have a degree in something like english or greek history, go to law school with a degree in electrical engineering or american history, become a business owner and entrepreneur even though they have a degree in chemistry or law enforcement. What a future employer wants to see is that you are bright and talented and can do well even if you are doing something that isn't perfect for you. What a story it would make if you could tell your future employer that even though you found accounting wasn't your thing, you stuck it out til the end because you are dedicated and still pulled off a 3.9 GPA. Bravo, by the way. A 3.9 is nothing to scoff at. Keep it up!!!
imo i would finish the 1.5 out.you would have atleast something under your belt.there are many fields you could go into with the accounting knowledge without actually being an accountant.also there are many options that you may end up wanting to pursue that this knowledge could come into play. and the most important reason is something that pennphin touched on and thats "future"employers...they like people who finish things.when looking through a resume it looks bad on your part if you dropped out of this school after 2 yrs,you dropped out of that school after a year,you only kept that part time job for a month..you get the picture. keep up the work as that 1.5 will blow by in notime and you can say "yes,i have a degree" with your head held high. millions of people would love to be in your position.
Yeah, I would finish up your accounting degree. Once you finish school, you can either enter the job world, and make pretty decent money, or you can always go back to school for something else. But considering how close to you are, I think its worth it to get that degree under your belt. I actually have a good friend who finished with an accounting degree. He contracts now, and really has the ability to work whenever he wants. He will work for a few months, then take a few months off to travel. Accountants make decent money.
To stay mtivated and have something to look forward to as ou finish your degree, begin doing self work to figure out your passions and career path so you're ready to immediately pursue it once you graduate instead of losing more tome figuring t out. Use this year and a half as you study accoutnj g to figure out your next step afterwards so you don't lose more time after gradyuation. Trust your gut but take time to get in touch with it first.
Thanks everyone for the advice. Ive been worried that the perfect major does not exist and if I decided to go back to a CC it would prove to be a waste of time because Im not gonna know what I like until I try it. Despite that, I was definitely leaning towards transferring out, but after the advice I got in this thread I am reconsidering it. 1.5 years will fly by in no time.
In today's economic downturn I seriously wish that I had considered furthering my education back before kids and a mortgage, and doing it today would be ten times harder. A piece of advice I can give is that a business or accounting degree transcends all fields and right now is one of the most diverse professions in America. Accountants are in demand, and will remain that way for the next decade or better. If you're more interested in architecture or another field, then maybe accounting is not for you in the long run. However, do not expect to graduate and walk into a dream job like you see in the movies...you can never have too many backup plans. Finish out this degree, especially is you are financially secure with scholarships, then pursue a different field. Not only will it give you more outs in life when you're 40 and your company files bankruptcy, but your resume will stand head over heels above anyone else in any single catagory.
The great thing about a business degree is that it makes you very employable. And you don't necessarily have to work in a strictly business related field. As others have said, finishing up is probably your best option. Especially since your grades are stellar. And let me also suggest a career in government. Your business degree could land you a lot of unique jobs in the government with good pay, and job security. The reason I recommend the government to you in your situation is that many government agencies will pay for you to get additional degrees. So if you want to continue your education in other fields, you could do so on Uncle Sam's dime! Something to think about. Good luck!
