Not Quite Right: What Do I Do?
Hey all,
Honesty hour: Am I too old (26), too inexperienced (no IB, no internship, only Jr. Acct experience), or both to hope for any success?
I'm feeling pretty screwed, and I'm hoping people out there have advice on how to improve my future outlook. I'm a 26 y.o. Senior at a non-target school in NYC graduating December 2020 with a Finance BBA. I've never had an internship, but I work currently as a Jr. Accountant for a small business in CT. I also have management experience in the medical industry along with a list of other non-finance experiences. I've got 1st Honors Dean's List, 3.88 GPA, Beta Gamma Sigma member, and I'm feeling like all that won't compensate for being just the wrong fit for everything I find. Every internship program I find wants people for this summer who will be done in May, or who will be graduating later than I am for sophomore type programs. January 2021 programs and full-time positions seem to all want people with past experience.
Thoughts? Am I just wrong enough to fit into anything, or am I a seemingly good fit meaning it's something else that keeps getting me rejected?
Everyone has their own path. There is certainly nothing wrong with you.
Your work experience should assist you in moving into an assurance role with one of the Big 4 following graduation. Spend a year in assurance and explore options to sit for the CPA and/or CFA. If you’re a strong enough performer, lateral into an advisory group with your employer. If not, lateral to another Big 4’s advisory group based on personal and professional interest.
Spend 3-4 years in advisory, focus on the quality of your work with the intention of securing strong recommendations, land a 700+ GMAT, and matriculate to a T20 business program where you can hit the proverbial reset on your career. I know plenty of people in their mid 30s at some of the best business programs.
Comparison is a dangerous game of which I am guilty too. You’re good, my man.