I don't know what I am doing wrong. I need advice on how to improve.

Hello, I am currently a 4th year Accounting/Biz Economics double major at a state school (Think SEC school). The school isn't very prestigious and recruiting is average. I am trying my best to get into the advisory practice at any firm however I have had no luck. And it's also getting late now to get a summer internship.

I really screwed up in not getting an internship offer in the fall and I am just looking for some advice on what I should do at this point. I am completely lost.

In the mean time, I am also trying to choose what else I should do to get into Advisory services: I was planning on graduating in May of this year however I am open to studying for the CPA exam over the summer (I just have to take 3 extra classes to get to 150 next semester), or adding another major (Finance-2 summer classes and 3 classes in the fall semester), or getting into a Masters in Accounting program. I don't know what I should do to gain even a slight chance of getting into Advisory services. Any suggestions here as well?

I will private message anyone who wants to review my resume and see where I can improve on so I can hopefully get some chance to get my foot in the door in this industry.

Thanks.

 
Midas Mulligan Magoo:
CPA is a great idea and will help you make money down the line regardless of what goes down in the short term.
This is great advice.
If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

My advice here would be to get into a Big 4 (do a MS if need be....but it has to be from a top school). Assurance has certain elements similar to advisory. Then, lateral into the advisory practice of the said Big 4. Then, you will need make another jump to get into a pure consulting shop either by going to B-School or moving to a different firm directly. Sometimes, you have to adapt differently if things are looking bleak.

Of course, this is all assuming you can't get into a consulting firm in the near future.

Hope this helps!

 

Hi Arpster55, thanks for a great response. I have one more thing to run by you.

I have the possibility of doing a finance major (it's 5 classes). I can get it done in time for a December 2011 graduation.

Now I am in Beta Alpha Psi and I think they will let me participate in recruiting during fall for full time jobs, hopefully.

Do you think that Finance major would give me an edge if I don't want to go through with a Masters in Accounting?

Keep in mind, I am not limiting myself to the prestigious firms only. I will definitely consider lower tiers.

The only objection I have to doing the Masters in Accounting degree is having to study for the GMAT over the summer and applying by June. Well if it must be done then I might as well :/ Would it also give me an advantage in MBA apps?

 

If you end up not getting an internship with a good firm, I say just open your own consulting firm, that's what I did my sophomore year. I did it for the summer and continued doing projects for a total of one year. Every time I have an interview now everybody asks about that experience. It shows you like to get things done, you are proactive, and have an entrepreneurial drive.

Start working with a small team, recruit one or two more people, just so the experience is funner, and it build credibility if you pick the right people. Start working with small projects for small businesses, but with the higher impact you can. Then start moving up, unless you have good connections and are able to get bigger clients from the beginning.

Good luck. Let me know how it turns out.

 
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