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Home > I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up

I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up

November 9th, 2009 at 01:20 pm

As I near graduation, I have come to the realization that I still don't know what I want to be when "I grow up"

I like money
I like helping people
I also have an interest in forensics

So I happened upon accounting and enjoyed that.

But here is what gets me... when I work, I want to FEEL like what I'm doing isn't really work. That feeling where its effortless because you are enjoying what you do.

I enjoy making budgets, getting numbers to match... but not necessarily the accompanying office politics and egos that come into play.

I like feeling like I'm part of a team & being able to trust my co-workers, not feeling like we are all in a "team" where we'd cash each other out to get the next promotion.

My current job is that place where it doesn't feel like work because I enjoy it. I'm valued (although I wish more monetarily) and respected. I feel like I can trust my coworkers and because its virtual, office politics and gossip is to a minimum.

But its not accounting & they've warned me several times that it never will be

So if I'm not in accounting, what will I be?

I have thought about other private organizations, but again - its tough to find a company that you mesh with, especially with all the personal obligations I have between 4 kids and being a Navy wife.

Then on the other hand, in 10 years, I don't even know if I want to be working at all. The goal of my career is to be a backdrop in my life, that with DH's pension and the rental income - its more about doing what we enjoy than working to live.

But on that same note, I want to maintain my career so just in case Plan A doesn't pan out exactly as I hoped, there is a Plan B.

I'll probably need to talk to my boss more at length with this. Her and the department boss see no issues in centralizing all of the Acquisitions department finance issues around me. So my official "title" would be the Aquisitions/Marketing Department Financial Manager.

How that translates into the rest of the workforce... eh, I don't know. Its not accounting, but it doesn't sound like too bad of a title either.

I guess on the bright side is... I'm still working and I'm still in the business field. So my accounting degree is not gone to waste at my current job... but I think if I want to stay here without feeling like I'm sacrificing my career aspirations... I need to adjust my perspective & look for the opportunities here.

Of course, at the same time I will take the CPA exam and try to get my license (which may be a challenge because of the accounting experience requirement), but since I like the company I am with - I think maybe I should look further into areas of growth vs simply "areas of growth in accounting".

Accounting isn't necessarily what makes me happy. I enjoy it but I think it also gives me a good foundation for working in management.

5 Responses to “I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up”

  1. homebody Says:
    1257773350

    Money is not everything. If you like your job, it fits in well with your other responsibilities, then accept it as a good thing and stick with it. You can't see the future, maybe the right accounting job will come up in the future. It is really important when raising kids to have flexibility and be able to fit everything into your life, more important than the big bucks in my humble opinion. And the kids will be grown someday.

  2. monkeymama Says:
    1257784759

    I personally love working with accountants. (As an accountant in a CPA firm). OF course, I do mostly work with people 10-30 years my senior. There just isn't any immature nonsense here. IT could be age...

    I think if you go the big Corporation route you find more of the politics. It just depends on the place - I have never really had a negative work experience - even at the large international firm I worked. I have always had amazing bosses, which I think makes the difference. The tone at the top is everything - it's true what they say. But, I think it's easier to find a calmer work environment in small business. Perhaps. At the smaller level - family-owned businesses have their own "politics" and squabbles. For example - I have worked for 2 husband/wives. Worked for the husband but the wife thought she was the boss - you know. But, the small business environment tends to be so laid back in comparison to the corporate world. I've never had any real interest in the big corporate world.

    I personally don't feel like my work is work, at all.

    & as to helping people, if you want to go to work and have people kiss your feet in gratitude all day, go be some kind of accounting consultant. Big Grin Accounting is just over most people's heads - particularly the taxes. I think it is surprisingly rewarding as far as helping people. At a CPA firm I am essentially a consultant, with all the benefits of being employed. LOVE it!

    I don't think you will really know what you will like until you get out there and try different things though. I just personally wouldn't be so scared of the office politics. It's been a non-issue in my career, and I know a lot of that is my personality. I wouldn't have put up with the politics for 2 seconds - I'd move on. I think the best advice is to seek out a GOOD leader. & working with older people (which is a theme as I reflect on the places I have worked - I have always worked with older people. Working with younger people to get my license, was far more fun, but also more cutthroat too).

  3. monkeymama Says:
    1257784972

    P.S. A lot of people get cold feet when they graduate - why I encourage you to try other things. There is a huge fear of the unknown and I can totally relate.

    I personally toyed with the idea of not using my degree when I graduated. & well, that would have been pretty stupid, considering how much I love my job today. When I Reflect back, it was fear and comfort. I just didn't want to leave my comfort zone.

  4. ambitioussaver Says:
    1257785408

    Monkeymama, Thank you so much for your insight! Definitely helps to hear your experience in this... and to hear you got cold feet too.

    My college is going to be hosting VITA services in the Spring and I think I'm going to sign up for every other weekend just to get some exposure out there first. With our debt (and childcare), I am not sure if I could make the full leap right now to an entry level accounting position cause the salary would be less (after factoring in childcare, etc) than what I make now. But hopefully if I stay involved till I get to that point it would be a benefit.

    I have set a mini-timeframe on myself that if I'm going to enter the accounting field, I'm going to do so by my 30th birthday (1 1/2 years from now)

  5. Apprentice Bliss Hunter Says:
    1257816017

    Good Luck with your choices... I think there are many graduates who could relate to you...

    I'm sure you will do great ! :-)

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