Charting a New Course
Posted 04-30-2012 at 06:55 PM by LookinForMayberry
When I was graduating from high school ('74), the student adviser looked over my academic records and informed me: "Given your test scores and grades, you could probably do anything you want. Since you are a woman, I suggest Accounting, Nursing, or Teaching."
I was insulted. I was a woman in an age when we were free of stereo-types. I would be a leader, not a follower!
As it turned out, working full-time and taking classes as I could, it was nineteen years later before I finished my Bachlor's of Arts in Business Administration, with a focus on Management ('93). By the time I'd gotten it I was well familiar with the reality of the "Glass Ceiling." Some women broke through by then, but I wasn't hard-headed enough.
Now, here I am out of work, and though I've always gotten a new job within WEEKS of starting my search before, it's now been months. Fifty-seven applications filed and NOT ONE interview.
Last Friday, after a week of soul searching, analyzing the market, reviewing school certification programs, I finally made my choice. God willing, on May 14th I will be registering for two Accounting classes for Summer quarter. By this time next year, I will have completed the additional classes to be eligible to take the CPA exams. I'll have to work with a CPA for a year before I can schedule the first exam, but every journey starts with a first step.
I believe it's the Buddha that described life as a circle and each ending is a new beginning. Somehow I think I've gone full circle, now. I'm humbler now, and more easily accepting of the irony.
Wish me luck!
I was insulted. I was a woman in an age when we were free of stereo-types. I would be a leader, not a follower!
As it turned out, working full-time and taking classes as I could, it was nineteen years later before I finished my Bachlor's of Arts in Business Administration, with a focus on Management ('93). By the time I'd gotten it I was well familiar with the reality of the "Glass Ceiling." Some women broke through by then, but I wasn't hard-headed enough.
Now, here I am out of work, and though I've always gotten a new job within WEEKS of starting my search before, it's now been months. Fifty-seven applications filed and NOT ONE interview.
Last Friday, after a week of soul searching, analyzing the market, reviewing school certification programs, I finally made my choice. God willing, on May 14th I will be registering for two Accounting classes for Summer quarter. By this time next year, I will have completed the additional classes to be eligible to take the CPA exams. I'll have to work with a CPA for a year before I can schedule the first exam, but every journey starts with a first step.
I believe it's the Buddha that described life as a circle and each ending is a new beginning. Somehow I think I've gone full circle, now. I'm humbler now, and more easily accepting of the irony.
Wish me luck!
Total Comments 1
Comments
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You beat me in the quest for a bachelor's degree by over a decade (and I graduated high school a year after you did) so don't be putting yourself down on getting the degree in '93. It'll stand you in good stead.
The accounting courses and CPA plans are a good choice. Accounting has a lot more interesting aspects to offer than it used to (check out forensic accounting sometime), and SOX has created a whole new set of opportunities that never existed before. You will do well, and you may very well have fun along the way. I do.
I do indeed wish you good fortune, both in your academic quest and in achieving the ultimate goal of a rewarding (on many levels) career. Accounting has served me well as a career, and I hope that it does likewise for you.Posted 05-01-2012 at 08:45 PM by 7G9C4J2
