Careers and a path you should love.

[oohcow]

Hey bluelight,

Sorry i post frequently in the education and careers boards so some of you might think that i have my life on track and that is far FAR from the truth.

For those of you that don't know. Im studying accounting at a top university (i hate the subject) i only went into the subject because I do NOT like school PERIOD, my uni is top for accy. I didn't like any subject besides business (former mid level bud/pill dealer) and accounting paid the most.

I am now aspiring to become a CPA (as that's what most accountants do) and aspiring to go to law school (taking the lsat in june... so studying now).

now about 75% done with my accounting degree I've realized something. I HATE this shit. I HATE accounting... i don't even know if I will like LAW.

All i really liked to do was sell/grow buds.

now some of you will say "go ahead to a medical state and start"

well im a convicted drug felon and also I have NO start up money...maybe a grand but that ain't shit.

So lemme ask you guys that are older than me.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR CAREER AND DO YOU LOVE IT? ARE THERE MORE LIKE ME? is your job just a means to an end? you need it to get money so you do it? you may be good at it but you don't rreally love doing it and THATS why you do it?

I hate all jobs out there..... to me work is just a means to an end... I don't like working hard... I get by because i'm relatively smart and can do good (whcih is why i've chosen accounting and law out of sheer indecision as these are not the subjects people "just go into" cause they don't know what to do)

But i have chosen this path... and now i feel like blowing my fucking brains out cause I hate it all.....

end rant/

 

[angelsmoke]

I love my job/career. I'm in software engineering -- I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do when I started uni, but I knew that it'd be something in engineering. I hated some parts of my degree too - but ultimately I'm glad that I did stick it out.

Yes, my main motivation for working is money. I don't think that that means I don't love my job though. No, I wouldn't do it if for free - it is quite high stress, and I wouldn't put myself under that much stress if I had nothing to gain.
That's not true of my colleagues though - a lot of them contribute to open source projects in their free time.

I wouldn't say that I "live to work", but my job is a pretty important part of my life. I guess I got plopped out of the education system after however many years of tests and assessments, and out in the real world, I use job success to define 'me success'.

I think that I'm in the minority - I actually think I'm really lucky to have a job I enjoy, but most people here are very firmly in the "work to live" camp -- I think some would find my 'success is job success' mindset quite appalling. I guess most actually fall into "I hate working". Still, everyone has to make a living somehow.

I guess the thing you have to remember is that you'll likely spend 8 hours a day working 5 days a week for a really long time. No point in starting something you hate! Hating having to work and hating the job itself are two different things.

It sounds like you're haying a pretty shit time.... no blowing brains out please! You're obviously smart, so I'm sure you know this - you need to take stock of your current feelings. Work out what you want, and what you can/can't have. There are a lot of options other than accounting/law and growing weed.

 

[oohcow]

Yeah there are alot of options... but I don't like any thing... I really don't maybe i started smoking weed too early of an age and never developed any hobbies... but im a golfer and drinker (which i heard fits right into the lawyer club)

which is why its weird for me... I just see work as a means to an end... Im gonna work that 8 hours a day ... so i might as well get paid the most... that's how i see it.. but i may be being naive and not realize if i hate it how much 8 hours will be....

I really want financial security... its important to me... extremely important to actually be the sole goal of my life... My goal is to get rich. that's all i know... and I want to open a business and they all said accounting would be good for that... but im taking alot of classes for corporate accounting.. you know for the big firms and auditing and stuff...

it may apply but its geared toward people wanting to be ACCOUNANTS (DUH!) but everyone told me that if i wanted to be baller at business i should go into this...

Software engineering is sweet.. anything engineering is sweet.. i wish i had the talent you guys posess being so good at maths and sciences lol.

however, its not for me, though im not sure anything ever will.

can I have a high paying job that is in the service industry? possibly... but im always gonna have to work hard if i don't open my own business so that is the ultimate dream owning my own shit cause thats what it is.

anyway, yeah i may not do the whole law thing... just becuase I can doesn't mean i should right? Or should I if i can?

LOL..... The thing is, i can do accounting.. and i can do law. I couldn't cut engineering or any sciences/computers.

I dunno... Im going to have to make a decision soon for grad/ law school... I might as well stick out my accounting degree, im almost done but the reason i need grad school is CPA certification requires you to have 1 extra school year and a graduate program is exactly 1 year

i mean so i technically have 2.5 years of accounting left... still, I feel i've gone too far to quit now that's why im so sad i wish i started with something else... and could be having a way mroe fun time at school...

I am a fun loving guy and i LOVE to party so the people i chill with and my roommates are like philosophy/psych/polisci/comms/ Phys ed/ majors and they have it easy and can have a fun ass time in college....

after the first 2 years I feel liek the rest of my time here will be homework... accounting isn't hard... it just takes ALOT of time and my program is super ultra competitive and gay.... so the people suck and are always trying to out you

I dunno... IM just bitchin and I don't wanna join the real world... I still got some school left but its getting to that point where I gotta start thinking about this shit

 

[Bob Loblaw]

can I have a high paying job that is in the service industry? possibly... but im always gonna have to work hard if i don't open my own business so that is the ultimate dream owning my own shit cause thats what it is.

You could always find a nice restaurant, get experience as a server, work your way up to a managerial position somewhere. Then when you've got the rep, go for a nice place as manager and maybe buy one. I know a few people who aren't too far out of college and are managers of upscale restaurants.

 

[Lifeandtimes]

Hey bluelight,

Sorry i post frequently in the education and careers boards so some of you might think that i have my life on track and that is far FAR from the truth.

For those of you that don't know. Im studying accounting at a top university (i hate the subject) i only went into the subject because I do NOT like school PERIOD, my uni is top for accy. I didn't like any subject besides business (former mid level bud/pill dealer) and accounting paid the most.

I am now aspiring to become a CPA (as that's what most accountants do) and aspiring to go to law school (taking the lsat in june... so studying now).

now about 75% done with my accounting degree I've realized something. I HATE this shit. I HATE accounting... i don't even know if I will like LAW.

All i really liked to do was sell/grow buds.

now some of you will say "go ahead to a medical state and start"

well im a convicted drug felon and also I have NO start up money...maybe a grand but that ain't shit.

So lemme ask you guys that are older than me.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR CAREER AND DO YOU LOVE IT? ARE THERE MORE LIKE ME? is your job just a means to an end? you need it to get money so you do it? you may be good at it but you don't rreally love doing it and THATS why you do it?

I hate all jobs out there..... to me work is just a means to an end... I don't like working hard... I get by because i'm relatively smart and can do good (whcih is why i've chosen accounting and law out of sheer indecision as these are not the subjects people "just go into" cause they don't know what to do)

But i have chosen this path... and now i feel like blowing my fucking brains out cause I hate it all.....

end rant/

You are awfully confused. And before i go into explaining why you are so confused, let me ask you are u thinking about criminal or civil law?

 

[hoopyfrood]

I wish I knew what to do, too. Growing and selling weed would be awesome, but I have neither the money, space, nor privacy for that kind of thing.

I'm majoring in Physics, and I have absolutely NO idea what I want to do after college.

 

[oohcow]

You are awfully confused. And before i go into explaining why you are so confused, let me ask you are u thinking about criminal or civil law?

.... I don't even know If i want to do law... I just know i can score high on the lsat if I wanted to and go to a tier 1.

As to WHAT ASPECT of law... definately not criminal law...

I wanna do mergers and acquisitions... "corporate" law.... etc...

 

[Z Y G G Y]

U haven't even started working in the field yet, u dunno if u will dislike it. U will have a secure, well paying job...which is a lot more than most people can ask for these days. I think u r just over reacting and once u get a job and with ur schooling and qualifications u will probably get a nice position, u might like it. There are many options in every field.

What I'm saying is that school is different than work most of the time. Those friends of urs that have the easy majors once they get out, most of them will probably have a hard time getting good employment or means of support. And once u finish ur shit (even thou it might seem horrible now) u will probably easily get employment that pays well and supports a good lifestyle...who knows u might just love the fact that u r not redundant, can't be outsourced and r paid well and that satisfaction will give u overall satisfaction. With law ur job will not go overseas.

Sometimes, no matter how talented and great u r at ur job, there is someone else in another country that will do the same for cheaper and fax or email the shit over. I don't think with law u r risking that at all and if u r looking for financial stability and security I think u r in a very good place.

School sucking doesn't mean work will suck and vice versa.

 

[hoopyfrood]

it's also never too late to change

 

[Lifeandtimes]

Bro if you think your going to get rich in accounting you are strongly mistaken. The big Four have a monopoly when it comes to accounting. They have an endless supply of accountants that they can hire from, and they are paying accountants the equivalent of what someone working at rogers or Fido or HP is making these days. Yes accounting knowledge is good for business but if you want to get rich my friend, in this day and age, you must rub shoulders with the rich, otherwise the market is very saturated and already established and difficult to get into. For example Henry Ford was not an engineer, in fact he only had a highschool degree, but he always chilled or hung out with engineers. This paved the way for him to start the company what is now known as "Ford". Countless other stories. Accounting is weak. Which university are you studying in? Do corporate law it's better than doing CPA. CPA takes a year and can be done at any time. Corporate law is where the money is at if you got a strong personality and have a strong and powerful command of the english language, the type that leaves a strong impression the first time he bumps into anyone. But if your an average joe then forget law. Hillary Clinton was a corporate lawyer for Wal Mart. Obama is a lawyer not a corp lawyer but a criminal lawyer, and you see his personality. Law is like marketing, the work starts after school. Accounting once ur done studying thats about it, then work long hours and dont get paid shit for it lol. So yeah which university are you studying in? Dude if i were you id do criminal law, it will help u big time in business plus everyone loves hanging out with lawyers, you can establish a network and make heavy connects which will be useful for you to be successful in business. School wont teach u shit about the real world. Sorry for the spelling, i gotta rush. ciao

 

[Cyc]

I really want financial security... its important to me... extremely important to actually be the sole goal of my life... My goal is to get rich. that's all i know... and I want to open a business and they all said accounting would be good for that... but im taking alot of classes for corporate accounting.. you know for the big firms and auditing and stuff...

See, that's quite honestly the most unattractive trait I could ever imagine in a person -- Male or female. Just looking at this, I see an empty, vacuous shell of a person who will inevitably contribute to social illness for their own financial benefit. It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I don't know man. Just sell weed out of your basement if that's what you love. From everything else you've posted, all you can do is social damage no matter what direction you go. If you're not heading out into the world to make it a better place, then you have the wrong mindset.

Do some soul-searching. Find a church or a woman, or something that inspires you to be a better person. Focus on that, and the career will come from that passion.

 

[izzy66]

op, have you ever considered being an actuary? excellent pay and job opportunities, might be a better fit than accounting.
after getting a basically worthless degree in english (as far as job opportunities go), i went back to school for nursing and have been a registered nurse for 22 years. i worked in level 1 trauma centers and am presently working in critical care. i love my work but it's certainly not for everyone. after so many years, the physical demands of the job become more difficult so i'm planning to be in grad school this august.
years ago when i decided to pursue nursing, decent wages and the ability to secure a job wherever i might want to live were major factors in my choice.
best of luck to you.
-izzy

 

[kong]

You might be able to double major if you have 2.5 years left. If there is something else you are interested in an accounting degree might compliment it nicely.

Otherwise do one of two things, get a law degree and take the CPA exam as soon as you have enough credits. Get a mba or masters of accounting and take the CPA. Very Important, Make sure you fulfill the requirements (aside from # of credits) to sit for the CPA before you graduate by taking an extra upper level class or two beyond what is required to get your degree. This way if you get a law degree or mba you don't have to take anything that will get in the way of achieving those goals. Whether or not you are really interested in public accounting GET your CPA and become certified. For whatever reason the CPA is the gold standard for business even if public accounting has nothing to do with the job you want.

Don't despair, if you like business accounting is probably your best bet. You can get a CPA which means you will appear qualified to do most anything in business. e.g. You will get a marketing job before someone with a marketing degree all things being equal. Something will interest you.

Get your CFE (certified fraud examiner) don't worry, its relatively easy...bust rich assholes stealing money. Its fun, its like being in law enforcement but you don't have to bust anyone who doesn't absolutely deserve it.

CPA's with law degrees have many options for employment. There are few combinations of credentials that offer such variety in opportunity. Only about 40% of CPA's work in public accounting. So for you to say you don't like it is rather silly, it covers to much ground for anyone to say they don't like it

 

[Lifeandtimes]

See, that's quite honestly the most unattractive trait I could ever imagine in a person -- Male or female. Just looking at this, I see an empty, vacuous shell of a person who will inevitably contribute to social illness for their own financial benefit. It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I don't know man. Just sell weed out of your basement if that's what you love. From everything else you've posted, all you can do is social damage no matter what direction you go. If you're not heading out into the world to make it a better place, then you have the wrong mindset.

Do some soul-searching. Find a church or a woman, or something that inspires you to be a better person. Focus on that, and the career will come from that passion.

Now this is golden advice. This is a real man talking. Beautiful advice Cyc, great to have people like you in this world. And you do such a great job of expressing your emotions through writing. I've read alot of your posts.

 

[Lifeandtimes]

You might be able to double major if you have 2.5 years left. If there is something else you are interested in an accounting degree might compliment it nicely.

Otherwise do one of two things, get a law degree and take the CPA exam as soon as you have enough credits. Get a mba or masters of accounting and take the CPA. Very Important, Make sure you fulfill the requirements (aside from # of credits) to sit for the CPA before you graduate by taking an extra upper level class or two beyond what is required to get your degree. This way if you get a law degree or mba you don't have to take anything that will get in the way of achieving those goals. Whether or not you are really interested in public accounting GET your CPA and become certified. For whatever reason the CPA is the gold standard for business even if public accounting has nothing to do with the job you want.

Don't despair, if you like business accounting is probably your best bet. You can get a CPA which means you will appear qualified to do most anything in business. e.g. You will get a marketing job before someone with a marketing degree all things being equal. Something will interest you.

Get your CFE (certified fraud examiner) don't worry, its relatively easy...bust rich assholes stealing money. Its fun, its like being in law enforcement but you don't have to bust anyone who doesn't absolutely deserve it.

CPA's with law degrees have many options for employment. There are few combinations of credentials that offer such variety in opportunity. Only about 40% of CPA's work in public accounting. So for you to say you don't like it is rather silly, it covers to much ground for anyone to say they don't like it

What's your education? and can you please tell me more about CFE, sounds very interesting

 

[Lifeandtimes]

op, have you ever considered being an actuary? excellent pay and job opportunities, might be a better fit than accounting.
after getting a basically worthless degree in english (as far as job opportunities go), i went back to school for nursing and have been a registered nurse for 22 years. i worked in level 1 trauma centers and am presently working in critical care. i love my work but it's certainly not for everyone. after so many years, the physical demands of the job become more difficult so i'm planning to be in grad school this august.
years ago when i decided to pursue nursing, decent wages and the ability to secure a job wherever i might want to live were major factors in my choice.
best of luck to you.
-izzy

It's very difficult to get an actuarial certificate. very hard exams. CPA is way easier

 

[kong]

What's your education? and can you please tell me more about CFE, sounds very interesting

I'm about to take the CPA, haven't taken the CFE either.

Funny thing though, having a CPA would probably be considered better qualification for fraud work than a CFE. The CFE isn't that bad a test from what I hear, no big deal to take it.

I don't know much about the actual test, but I know fraud work is a lot of fun. Its always something new, playing detective etc...it requires a way different approach than an audit.

The first thing we used to do was go to the parking lot and get the license # of everyone with a van/suv. Suv's are good for getting paper out to shred, stealing shit etc...I always liked the idea of law enforcement, but I don't agree with enough of the current laws I'd be enforcing to consider it. Happy medium, play detective, leave hippies alone, work with intelligent non-law enforcement types.

 

[oohcow]

See, that's quite honestly the most unattractive trait I could ever imagine in a person -- Male or female. Just looking at this, I see an empty, vacuous shell of a person who will inevitably contribute to social illness for their own financial benefit. It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I don't know man. Just sell weed out of your basement if that's what you love. From everything else you've posted, all you can do is social damage no matter what direction you go. If you're not heading out into the world to make it a better place, then you have the wrong mindset.

Do some soul-searching. Find a church or a woman, or something that inspires you to be a better person. Focus on that, and the career will come from that passion.

Sorry to leave a bad taste in your mouth. Not everyone is like you and wants to better "the world" sorry not everyone has the "RIGHT" mindset like you.

Yeah i might contribute to the social ills of society.... but you know what? its my choice =). Just keep hating.

sell weed out of my basement? do you even know the game bro? LOL. Yeah i know i can do major social damage with what i've listed... but i feel its wrong to not take your god given gifts to the limit.....

Just cause i wanna get rich makes me the scum of society.... Thank god not everyone wants to get rich, it would make life so much harder So Cyc... thank you ...for it is the people like you that make me what I can be.

 

[oohcow]

Edit

 

[CoffeeDrinker]

Yeah i know i can do major social damage with what i've listed... but i feel its wrong to not take your god given gifts to the limit.....

This doesn't make any sense. I find it hard to believe that you actually believe this as well....