Need Big Brother/Career Life advice
24-25 year old male accountant in NY. 1st gen everything. I didn’t even think I be alive. I have no career guidance or someone to look up to. I don’t even have a career path.I want to move towards high finance. I went to a non-target school for accounting. Got my 120 credits. No CPA. Worked in lending and wholesale. I want to pivot towards more of a professional higher finance field. Every accountant I spoke to would just give me shit on the forums (not-WSO) for leaving accounting. I genuinely don’t find it intriguing enough to do month end closing and etc. Can someone give me any advice? MBA school? Law school? Different industry? I believe I can’t pivot via coffee chats because nobody from my said school is in the industry like that. I take care of my aging parents via financial support, with whatever I make from my 65k salary. I still live with them and I don’t party or anything. I have not taken a vacation since I started working. In hopes of a faster promotion which hasn’t happened. Part of me is tempted to just leave them and become a bartender in Miami or something and just not care about work. Feels like a losing battle to even work.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a roadmap to help you pivot into high finance and build a fulfilling career:
1. Clarify Your Goals
2. Leverage Your Accounting Background
3. Networking is Key
4. Consider an MBA
5. Alternative Routes
6. Short-Term Actions
7. Mental Health and Balance
8. Long-Term Vision
Final Thought
You’re not alone in feeling stuck, but your determination to improve your situation is already a huge step forward. High finance is competitive, but with the right strategy, you can break in. Stay focused, keep learning, and don’t hesitate to lean on the WSO community for support. You’ve got this!
Sources: Accounting vs Finance: Part 1 – Career Paths, What are the best alternatives of IB (or other high finance)/Consulting if people don't get in?, 30 and a bit lost in career - Advice Appreciated
Aging parents held me back as well. They are, basically, stealing from your life so that they can enjoy the end of theirs. Where does that leave you when you’re their age? Leave if you can, but I know how hard it is, especially when you have no exposure to regular young people to guide you.
I recommend getting your MBA.
Hey, thank you for reaching out to me. I really appreciate it. You hit the nail on that one. Having no exposure to folks my age who are also in the same industry does it make it difficult to navigate. I will look into prepping for the GMAT. Is it possible you can DM me?
Feel free to PM me
Hey man would highly recommend an MBA... score well on the GMAT and if your able to spin a nice story you wont have much difficulty getting into a good business school, and even better you may get a strong scholarship
At my core, I’m an accountant, but ended up becoming a real estate developer, business founder, and CFO. I’ve hired accountants in your age range. I’ve also took care of my dad, bringing him lunch and dinner during work days and almost got fired at a large real estate private equity firm at age 25. Almost fired!
I’m 44 now.
If your parents are aging but can live on their own, I agree you should move out and be an adult and make adult choices.
There is a fine line between hurting your future by not growing and maximizing your financial potential, because senior care can be expensive and you’ll need an economic base. I know, I operate senior living communities.
In your post, you did not mention a field that you have interest, like a longer term interest to pivoting. You mentioned a list of typical career fields and grad school. You need to reflect on what makes you tick, and what gets you excited.
I’ve known a lot of disgruntled auditors. There are those who complain and don’t do anything about it; those who move fast/strategically; and those who stay because they like it. Right now I’m seeing complain but no plan. It’s common, but not ideal.
A lot of older career accountants are dedicated to their families/children, hobbies, stuff outside their work, and the job is just a job. If you want to go to a good MBA, you need to show interest in what you want to be in 5, 10 years. That’s a typical essay.
You should not BS it. Read or listen to the audiobook, The Alchemist. Basically: what is the universe telling you?
Somehow, you came to this forum and posted this.
Also, for your profile, I would recommend you aim for a part time MBA at a good school. The average matriculation is late 20’s, early 30’s and this will give you time to build up your story. 3 years is a good amount of time to totally remake yourself in almost any field.
Also, why didn’t you complete your CPA? Even if you don’t go public accounting, it is a credential that will help you in the future, say as a CFO, as someone mentioned. It shows you finished something. It will take you about 2 years.
That’s my advice. I was in your shoes. The difference though is I knew what I wanted to do beyond accounting before I even started. But, very similar situation. I did have a younger sister who lived with my dad for 5 years until she couldn’t take it any longer, but by then I was ready to take over at age 30 (he had a broken hip, stroke and dementia).
What is the universe telling you?
Hello,
Thank you so much for this thoughtful response. I really appreciate it. You have me thinking and approaching things differently now.
I really appreciate your guideline. I will follow it.
I also want to thank you for providing me comfort and solace. Thank you again!
I hope you don’t mind me DMing you
I don’t mind. Please DM me.
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