I’m in my second year studying Finance and Accounting and I’m getting worried about what comes next after I finish my degree. I keep hearing different things from classmates and professors about which direction to go.
I’m trying to figure out:
What are the main job options available (like auditing, tax work, financial consulting, corporate finance roles, etc.)
What are the good and bad sides of each career choice
Should I be doing anything specific right now like getting internships or taking additional certification courses
What important things do working professionals wish they had known while still in university
I’m honestly feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the choices and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through this decision-making process or is currently working in these areas.
Perfect timing! You’ve got room to explore in your second year. Hit up alumni on LinkedIn - they’re usually happy to help students and share what it’s really like. There are great opportunities no matter which direction you go!
Oh man, I was in your exact spot! Started in Big 4 tax after graduation and it was totally different than expected. Tax gets a bad rap but it’s actually interesting once you dive in - plus there’s always demand. Here’s what I wish someone told me: your first job doesn’t define your career. I jumped from tax to FP&A at a tech company after three years and loved it. My advice? Master the technical stuff (Excel, financial statements) and don’t sleep on smaller firms - they often give you way broader experience than the big names everyone chases.
Welcome to finance anxiety central Half the people giving advice probably fell into their jobs by accident anyway. Everyone talks about networking and passion, but let’s be real - most entry-level jobs suck regardless. Audit? Spreadsheets all day. Banking? 80-hour weeks. Corporate finance? Death by PowerPoint. My advice? Stop overthinking and grab whatever decent internship you can find this summer. You’ll quickly learn what you hate, and that’s almost as useful as finding what you love.
I totally get why you’re feeling overwhelmed - finance and accounting have so many different paths, but that’s honestly what makes the field great. I’ve been in financial services for 15 years, and here’s what I’ve seen: Investment banking pays incredibly well and gives you amazing training, but you’ll sacrifice your personal life. Public accounting is tough at first, but those skills work everywhere. Corporate finance gives you better work-life balance and solid career growth. For prep work, get really good at Excel and take some financial modeling courses. Look into CFA or CPA certifications based on what interests you. But here’s the thing - don’t specialize too early. Try different internships instead. Most successful people I know found their passion by trying stuff out, not by having it all figured out from day one. Build solid fundamentals and stay flexible. This field keeps changing, so being adaptable matters more than having a perfect plan.
Finance has about 6.2 million jobs in the US, and accounting’s growing 4% yearly per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most students miss treasury management and risk analysis - these pay 15-20% more than typical audit jobs right out of school. Fintech roles are super hot now since they mix finance with data analytics. Get Python or SQL certifications with your degree - quant skills pay way more. Pick your specialty too. Healthcare finance, energy finance, and fintech all have different career paths and pay scales. Figure out what interests you through internships or case competitions.
been there! graduated last year and now i’m in corporate finance. best move was networking early - joined finance clubs and hit up career fairs even as a sophomore. don’t stress about finding the “perfect” path right now. tons of folks jump between audit, consulting, and banking after a few years. just focus on that first internship!
Half the people giving advice probably fell into their jobs by accident anyway. Everyone talks about networking and passion, but let’s be real - most entry-level jobs suck regardless. Audit? Spreadsheets all day. Banking? 80-hour weeks. Corporate finance? Death by PowerPoint. My advice? Stop overthinking and grab whatever decent internship you can find this summer. You’ll quickly learn what you hate, and that’s almost as useful as finding what you love.