I’ve decided on a career shift. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and professional writing, but have quickly learned that the job market in my hometown for a writer is slim and definitely not lucrative.
So while my wife is working at a local university, I’m taking the opportunity to go back to college and receive a certificate in accounting. I’d like to eventually move into financial planning, but realize the risks in that job market are much greater. So I want to stay with something a little more stable.
I’m only slightly acquainted with accounting and financing, but am eager to dive into my studies and learn the field. I’ve spent the last five years on the other side of the fence with the longhaired hippie poets talking about love and questioning reality, so this shift is a large one in many aspects. I doubt I’ll lose my hippie monikers, but I’m determined to thrive in the business world.
My short-term goal is to find a steady, lucrative job. If I can find a job in which I merge my writing with finance, that would be ideal. But the reality, I believe, is I’ll have to start from the ground up and crunch numbers for a year or two just to earn my stripes. Then I can branch out.
I’m looking for advice from any angle I can get it. I want to read some books over the summer to help break me into the economics world and to help me focus my studies on what I specifically want to specialize in.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Career change: Philosopher-poet to pencil-pusher
May 31st, 2007 at 05:18 pm
May 31st, 2007 at 07:03 pm 1180638235
May 31st, 2007 at 07:19 pm 1180639194
I actually love english and writing, but I also love numbers so when picking careers picked something a little more practical - accounting. But I love it. I actually have a minor in Humanities though and am getting more and more writing gigs with time, so kind of heading that way (though the pay in accounting is about 50 times better - indeed).
Anyway, just wanted to say now is a wonderful time to get into accounting. The starting pay in general has doubled the last few years as there is just an extreme shortage of qualified accountants. Get some experience under your belt and you will have it made. If you buckle down for a few years you can easily cut back in a few years and maybe do writing on the side. On one hand. On the other hand it can be hard to cut back your hours with employee shortages. But employers are more willing to work with you and pay you better for it all the same. I think it can be win-win for you.
I would say go for a CPA license as well, it is not as expensive a venture as most other professional licenses. BUT all the same I posted a bit ago that around here they are hiring experienced bookkeepers for GOOD money. Experience is starting to trump the CPA designation these days. But for the long-term, a CPA license the old fashioned way is golden. They are offering more of a short-cut now that I wouldn't recommend. It's not taken as seriously, and makes me that much more golden as part of the last wave to come through the old way, and have some experience under my belt too.
Financial planning to me seems interesting. I think the difference is with accounting you are more looking in the past. Crunching numbers, preparing financial statements, and tax returns. ORganizing info. A bookkeeper does much the same thing at a "lower" level. Financial planners on the other head are looking forward. I haven't put my finger on it if I like that or not. I think it may be a little too abstract to me, but kind of silly to say since taxes can be SO abstract sometimes - but that's the part I don't like that much about it. But you could make some good money as a bookkeeper and then write on the side. Indeed. Lots of options going the acocunting route.
Anyway, yeah, most my co-workers would not want to discuss philosophy, but I have a few that do. You may be surprised.
A few of my rambly thoughts, just e-mail me or visit my blog if you have any further questions. I am always going on how great the accounting field is, and lord knows we need more people. Of course I see SO many people getting into the field just for the money who do not last. Gosh, I almost forgot that one. I always warn people, do not do it just for the money. But if you think you will really enjoy it, then go for it.
But yeah, early on when earning your stripes, you work those 60-80 hour weeks for 2 years (All you need to get your liense) then go prove yourself somewhere you really want to work, and then ask to work part-time. Or go out on your own. Is feasible. I'd say about 4 years into my career I Could really work as much or little as I Want at that point. The early years were grueling but I learned so much and was SO worth it.
Good Luck.