Ava
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Post by Ava on Oct 25, 2014 21:11:54 GMT -5
I don't see my manager giving me a negative review. He values my efforts and is very (too much I would say) emotionally invested in me getting that MBA. It was something he couldn't do and so he's sort of living vicariously through my experience. We get along great and he's a person who values good team members. I have a positive attitude, work well along others, and he likes that.
I've been with the same company for over two years now. I feel appreciated and well liked. Besides, my prior manager in the bank will give me an outstanding reference without doubt, and my coworkers would do likewise.
A couple of weeks ago a coworker got a job in NYC in a bigger bank for more $$$$ and way better benefits. He left me his email address and told me to "definitely" contact him once I'm close to graduation. He used to sit in the cubicle right next to me and we got along great. I actually miss him and I will certainly contact him. I'm not sold on NYC, though. It's still a cold weather and snowy place and too hectic. On the other hand, there's a lot to do there. I love big cities. He's making good money now, even for an expensive city. I was thinking on moving to a more southern location. But it's an option, and I know this previous coworker would give me a good reference.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Oct 25, 2014 22:08:42 GMT -5
Ava, at the beginning of the semester, if I recall correctly, you asked if we thought you should take four classes because this one class would be so difficult. Most people here advised against it, but you took four classes anyway. To me, it would have made more sense to only take 3 classes instead of 4 since you knew this class would be difficult for you. That is now water under the bridge.
Banks need their employees to be at work. They don't need you spending long periods of time on vacation with unpaid time off when you have had to take vacation days to study for exams. It really sounds like your expectation is that the bank should adjust to your wants and you don't need to adjust to your needs.
When I was in grad school, an 80 wasn't considered all that good. I was told a B was the equivalent of a C as an undergrad and I should aim for all A's.
I realize you work full time so I don't think you should take extra classes in the spring.
At the beginning of the semester, I read some of your thread about how many classes you should take to my nephew who is in his first year as a tenure track professor, so he knows a bit about grad school. He said you should have taken 3 classes. He said they had to rein in one of their Teaching Assistants because he had unrealistic expectations of what that would require time wise. He wanted to take 4 courses and the department only allowed him to take 3. It's too bad you probably don't have an advisor who had your best interests in mind at the school.
I'm not trying to be harsh--just honest.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 25, 2014 22:27:19 GMT -5
Erm, the few CPAs I know do not pull a 9-5 no overtime job.
I have an MBA and have, so far, been able to mostly pull at 40/hr week job. The overtime I've had was 95% voluntary. But I've worked as a government contractor. The problem is, on that side of the industry you are vastly underpaid. I'm working like hell to move out of that part of my job and if I do it successfully it will be at least a 10% raise if not closer to 20% or more.
I haven't even broached management* with my MBA yet, BTW. The biggest reason I chose not to get my CPA was that there were big guaranteed times of overtime and I didn't want to do that. Well, besides the fact that I found balance sheets boring even though I aced my accounting classes.
*By title and pay yet. I've been an assistant manager on a project for almost 2 years but because it's government they couldn't give me the title because I didn't have the year - even though I did all the work. As such I wasn't paid a damn thing for all the extra work and if I stay where I am am at least 2 years from getting promoted to the job I've been doing for the last almost 2 years.
ETA: I should add that this career I have came from both an undergrad and MBA GPA over 3.5.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Oct 25, 2014 23:00:39 GMT -5
Erm, the few CPAs I know do not pull a 9-5 no overtime job. I have an MBA and have, so far, been able to mostly pull at 40/hr week job. The overtime I've had was 95% voluntary. But I've worked as a government contractor. The problem is, on that side of the industry you are vastly underpaid. I'm working like hell to move out of that part of my job and if I do it successfully it will be at least a 10% raise if not closer to 20% or more. I haven't even broached management* with my MBA yet, BTW. The biggest reason I chose not to get my CPA was that there were big guaranteed times of overtime and I didn't want to do that. Well, besides the fact that I found balance sheets boring even though I aced my accounting classes. *By title and pay yet. I've been an assistant manager on a project for almost 2 years but because it's government they couldn't give me the title because I didn't have the year - even though I did all the work. As such I wasn't paid a damn thing for all the extra work and if I stay where I am am at least 2 years from getting promoted to the job I've been doing for the last almost 2 years. ETA: I should add that this career I have came from both an undergrad and MBA GPA over 3.5. Congratulations on the GPA! I think how many hours you work as a CPA depends on where you work. If you work at a large public accounting firm I think you will have to put in a lot of hours. But I plan to work for either a small firm, do independent work, stay in the banking industry, or move to government or non profit work. I don't plan to work in Big 4, no way. Having a CPA doesn't necessarily mean you'll keel over your desk after a 95 hour workweek. It's ultimately up to you what's more important. But you cannot deny having a MBA and a CPA gives you a lot of options.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Oct 25, 2014 23:02:33 GMT -5
About your program: Would you consider maybe working with the school system to offer some personal finance type courses to kids in HS either before school or after school? Maybe you could help develop a curriculum?
I don't know how big the city that you live in is. Have you checked around with other non-profits (both gov't and ngo) to see if they have started financial education type programs? How have those been received? They might be able to offer you some good suggestions.
In my area, you'd be duplicating services that are offered by other non profits and my University's Extension System.
In my neck of the woods, one of the community centers runs a program that teaches at risk youth how to run a Salsa Business. The kids grow tomatoes, etc over the summer, learn how to make the salsa, package and sell their product.
There's another program where at risk kids run a newspaper. This particular program has good results with getting kids ready for college, actually.
I'd probably aim my project towards kids. If you do chose to do a program for adults, I would completely stay away from the social issues, and like swamp said, focus on the financial issues only.
Other issues for adults I'd want to cover would include writing a good resume and practicing interview skills.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Oct 25, 2014 23:04:28 GMT -5
Ava, at the beginning of the semester, if I recall correctly, you asked if we thought you should take four classes because this one class would be so difficult. Most people here advised against it, but you took four classes anyway. To me, it would have made more sense to only take 3 classes instead of 4 since you knew this class would be difficult for you. That is now water under the bridge. Banks need their employees to be at work. They don't need you spending long periods of time on vacation with unpaid time off when you have had to take vacation days to study for exams. It really sounds like your expectation is that the bank should adjust to your wants and you don't need to adjust to your needs. When I was in grad school, an 80 wasn't considered all that good. I was told a B was the equivalent of a C as an undergrad and I should aim for all A's. I realize you work full time so I don't think you should take extra classes in the spring. At the beginning of the semester, I read some of your thread about how many classes you should take to my nephew who is in his first year as a tenure track professor, so he knows a bit about grad school. He said you should have taken 3 classes. He said they had to rein in one of their Teaching Assistants because he had unrealistic expectations of what that would require time wise. He wanted to take 4 courses and the department only allowed him to take 3. It's too bad you probably don't have an advisor who had your best interests in mind at the school. I'm not trying to be harsh--just honest. That's fine. I appreciate the honesty. I remember everyone telling me not to take the 4 classes. The thing is; I'm tired of this life of work and study. I want to be done soon. I am doing surprisingly well in school given the circumstances. And I know an 80 doesn't sound like much. But when you find a class that's very difficult for you, an 80 is a lot. Besides, everybody who took this class said he curves the final grade at the end of the semester. I am almost set on doing the three classes and the final project next semester. Since it will be my last semester, I want to absorb as much as I can. Those two classes are optional, but they would be perfect for me. Besides, like I said, Statistics brought my GPA down and I want a chance to improve it.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Oct 25, 2014 23:12:08 GMT -5
About your program: Would you consider maybe working with the school system to offer some personal finance type courses to kids in HS either before school or after school? Maybe you could help develop a curriculum? I don't know how big the city that you live in is. Have you checked around with other non-profits (both gov't and ngo) to see if they have started financial education type programs? How have those been received? They might be able to offer you some good suggestions. In my area, you'd be duplicating services that are offered by other non profits and my University's Extension System. In my neck of the woods, one of the community centers runs a program that teaches at risk youth how to run a Salsa Business. The kids grow tomatoes, etc over the summer, learn how to make the salsa, package and sell their product. There's another program where at risk kids run a newspaper. This particular program has good results with getting kids ready for college, actually. I'd probably aim my project towards kids. If you do chose to do a program for adults, I would completely stay away from the social issues, and like swamp said, focus on the financial issues only. Other issues for adults I'd want to cover would include writing a good resume and practicing interview skills. Excellent ideas! That's exactly the feedback I need. I like the idea of making the program focused on financial issues and writing a good resume. The city is around 100k people, but it's surrounded by small town. It's like a small "metro area". There are some programs out there, but they are mostly focused on youth.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 25, 2014 23:13:47 GMT -5
Erm, the few CPAs I know do not pull a 9-5 no overtime job. I have an MBA and have, so far, been able to mostly pull at 40/hr week job. The overtime I've had was 95% voluntary. But I've worked as a government contractor. The problem is, on that side of the industry you are vastly underpaid. I'm working like hell to move out of that part of my job and if I do it successfully it will be at least a 10% raise if not closer to 20% or more. I haven't even broached management* with my MBA yet, BTW. The biggest reason I chose not to get my CPA was that there were big guaranteed times of overtime and I didn't want to do that. Well, besides the fact that I found balance sheets boring even though I aced my accounting classes. *By title and pay yet. I've been an assistant manager on a project for almost 2 years but because it's government they couldn't give me the title because I didn't have the year - even though I did all the work. As such I wasn't paid a damn thing for all the extra work and if I stay where I am am at least 2 years from getting promoted to the job I've been doing for the last almost 2 years. ETA: I should add that this career I have came from both an undergrad and MBA GPA over 3.5. Congratulations on the GPA! I think how many hours you work as a CPA depends on where you work. If you work at a large public accounting firm I think you will have to put in a lot of hours. But I plan to work for either a small firm, do independent work, stay in the banking industry, or move to government or non profit work. I don't plan to work in Big 4, no way. Having a CPA doesn't necessarily mean you'll keel over your desk after a 95 hour workweek. I think it's ultimately up to you what's more important. But you cannot deny having a MBA and a CPA gives you a lot of options. True....it's just that every CPA I know (which I'll admit is only a few) had to start at a big accounting firm and put in their hours to then go elsewhere. Hell, even when I'm looking for a new job myself, the ones that require a CPA with the MBA all say they want a few years at a public accounting firm before you come in house to them. No big deal for me, since I'm on the finance side and not accounting side so those jobs don't apply to me. But if you're going for the accounting side, you may have to put your time in at a public accounting firm where they care less about your free time. You might escape it, but from my knowledge of reading job adds I'm not sure how you could. Oh, and thanks! I still don't know how I did it since I was sick as a dog throughout my entire MBA. I'd sleep almost as soon as I got home and was sleeping at least 16 hrs/day on the weekend. It wasn't until half way through my MBA they figured out what was wrong. Looking back, part of me has no idea how I managed it when I was that sick. On the weekends I'd wake up to eat and that was it. Geeze, it was so crazy, I'm just glad I got a fellowship so I only had to work 10/hrs/wk that I could do right after class.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Oct 25, 2014 23:18:48 GMT -5
Ava, at the beginning of the semester, if I recall correctly, you asked if we thought you should take four classes because this one class would be so difficult. Most people here advised against it, but you took four classes anyway. To me, it would have made more sense to only take 3 classes instead of 4 since you knew this class would be difficult for you. That is now water under the bridge. Banks need their employees to be at work. They don't need you spending long periods of time on vacation with unpaid time off when you have had to take vacation days to study for exams. It really sounds like your expectation is that the bank should adjust to your wants and you don't need to adjust to your needs. When I was in grad school, an 80 wasn't considered all that good. I was told a B was the equivalent of a C as an undergrad and I should aim for all A's. I realize you work full time so I don't think you should take extra classes in the spring. At the beginning of the semester, I read some of your thread about how many classes you should take to my nephew who is in his first year as a tenure track professor, so he knows a bit about grad school. He said you should have taken 3 classes. He said they had to rein in one of their Teaching Assistants because he had unrealistic expectations of what that would require time wise. He wanted to take 4 courses and the department only allowed him to take 3. It's too bad you probably don't have an advisor who had your best interests in mind at the school. I'm not trying to be harsh--just honest. I don't have an adviser. It's strange because when I finished my Associate and starting working for my undergraduate, I was doing 4 classes a semester at the university and my adviser back then told me to buckle down and take 5 a semester. He said otherwise it would take forever and I would end up feeling tired and disappointed. He said going slowly (and considering I was a working adult) diminished my chances of ever graduating. When I started the MBA program I had an interview with the program director. He told me the same thing: "Take 4 classes a semester and be done as soon as you can".
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Oct 25, 2014 23:28:56 GMT -5
Congratulations on the GPA! I think how many hours you work as a CPA depends on where you work. If you work at a large public accounting firm I think you will have to put in a lot of hours. But I plan to work for either a small firm, do independent work, stay in the banking industry, or move to government or non profit work. I don't plan to work in Big 4, no way. Having a CPA doesn't necessarily mean you'll keel over your desk after a 95 hour workweek. I think it's ultimately up to you what's more important. But you cannot deny having a MBA and a CPA gives you a lot of options. True....it's just that every CPA I know (which I'll admit is only a few) had to start at a big accounting firm and put in their hours to then go elsewhere. Hell, even when I'm looking for a new job myself, the ones that require a CPA with the MBA all say they want a few years at a public accounting firm before you come in house to them. No big deal for me, since I'm on the finance side and not accounting side so those jobs don't apply to me. But if you're going for the accounting side, you may have to put your time in at a public accounting firm where they care less about your free time. You might escape it, but from my knowledge of reading job adds I'm not sure how you could. Oh, and thanks! I still don't know how I did it since I was sick as a dog throughout my entire MBA. I'd sleep almost as soon as I got home and was sleeping at least 16 hrs/day on the weekend. It wasn't until half way through my MBA they figured out what was wrong. Looking back, part of me has no idea how I managed it when I was that sick. On the weekends I'd wake up to eat and that was it. Geeze, it was so crazy, I'm just glad I got a fellowship so I only had to work 10/hrs/wk that I could do right after class. I'm very glad it worked out for you and they could find the problem, and fix it! As for the CPA jobs, I see the same thing in the ads. But it doesn't faze me. Nowadays you don't have to get your experience through the Big 4. They changed the rules and you can do it in industry, non profits, government, etc. Granted, most employers want you to have Big 4 experience. But you can still find a job without it. In banking, for instance, you don't need the Big 4 experience. There are plenty of regional, medium sized public accounting firms also. The Big 4 believe that people getting their CPA are slaves to be exploited. They take advantage of the situation. Thanks, but no thanks. I only have one life to live and I plan to enjoy it. After I finish the MBA I'm going to take the CPA exams (after a six month rest). After that, I plan to look for a job to get the experience to obtain the license. I'll probably look for something in the banking industry. Most people who work at banks are done at 5. I can tell you, now that I stay late two days a week, by 5:30 there's nobody left in the bank's offices, not even the big honchos.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Oct 26, 2014 0:40:17 GMT -5
Ava, at the beginning of the semester, if I recall correctly, you asked if we thought you should take four classes because this one class would be so difficult. Most people here advised against it, but you took four classes anyway. To me, it would have made more sense to only take 3 classes instead of 4 since you knew this class would be difficult for you. That is now water under the bridge. Banks need their employees to be at work. They don't need you spending long periods of time on vacation with unpaid time off when you have had to take vacation days to study for exams. It really sounds like your expectation is that the bank should adjust to your wants and you don't need to adjust to your needs. When I was in grad school, an 80 wasn't considered all that good. I was told a B was the equivalent of a C as an undergrad and I should aim for all A's. I realize you work full time so I don't think you should take extra classes in the spring. At the beginning of the semester, I read some of your thread about how many classes you should take to my nephew who is in his first year as a tenure track professor, so he knows a bit about grad school. He said you should have taken 3 classes. He said they had to rein in one of their Teaching Assistants because he had unrealistic expectations of what that would require time wise. He wanted to take 4 courses and the department only allowed him to take 3. It's too bad you probably don't have an advisor who had your best interests in mind at the school. I'm not trying to be harsh--just honest. I don't have an adviser. It's strange because when I finished my Associate and starting working for my undergraduate, I was doing 4 classes a semester at the university and my adviser back then told me to buckle down and take 5 a semester. He said otherwise it would take forever and I would end up feeling tired and disappointed. He said going slowly (and considering I was a working adult) diminished my chances of ever graduating. When I started the MBA program I had an interview with the program director. He told me the same thing: "Take 4 classes a semester and be done as soon as you can". The difference is that you are expected to put more hours in on graduate classes. That is why a full time graduate student load is 9 hours, undergrad 12 hours but 15 is more the norm in you want to graduate in 4 years. I took 9 graduate hours once and got by by the skin of my teeth. It was a stupid move on my part, because I simply did not have the time to put in on my coursework and work full time. I had about a 3.5 GPA in my course work, a C is considered unacceptable and is not counted as passing the class. I did the worst in that semester, 2 Bs and an A, but it still knocked my GPA down. That was the only time I did this, because I spent waaaay too many nights up at 2 am only to turn around and get up at 5:30 so I could be at work at 6:30. The one advantage I had was that I could do my job on auto pilot, but the stress did get to me.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2014 3:59:30 GMT -5
I would definitely not take two extra classes. At most, I'd choose the one I wanted to take most and take 3.
But personally I'd just focus on the two I had to take, and on work.
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flutterby
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Post by flutterby on Oct 26, 2014 9:57:42 GMT -5
I agree with @debthaven2, if you REALLY want these classes and think they might help your career in the future, pick one and call it good. Though if it was me, I'd just do the requirements and do as well as I possibly could with those. Are future employers even going to care about your GPA?
As you know, I'm also working full time and going to school full time. I have NO life. I have no extra time or energy to devote to having a life. And it's getting old! I was thinking on the "do you know someone who's waiting" thread, yep, that's me. And from your posts, it's you, too. I'd look at your last semester as a time to start ramping down the stress level a bit and planning the next stage of your life.
You're so close to the end! Good luck with whatever you decide!
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Oct 26, 2014 11:33:52 GMT -5
I agree with @debthaven2, if you REALLY want these classes and think they might help your career in the future, pick one and call it good. Though if it was me, I'd just do the requirements and do as well as I possibly could with those. Are future employers even going to care about your GPA?
As you know, I'm also working full time and going to school full time. I have NO life. I have no extra time or energy to devote to having a life. And it's getting old! I was thinking on the "do you know someone who's waiting" thread, yep, that's me. And from your posts, it's you, too. I'd look at your last semester as a time to start ramping down the stress level a bit and planning the next stage of your life.
You're so close to the end! Good luck with whatever you decide! Yes, I'm in the same boat. I have no life. I haven't been able to create a life for myself due to work and study. It does get really old really fast. I could also post on the "do you know someone who's waiting" thread. I don't like the idea of waiting for something to happen for your life to really start. But the decision to go to school as a working adult means you are in that situation. I don't know about employers caring about the GPA. I think once you have experience they don't care that much. Those two classes are good but maybe it's time for me to start slowing down next semester. One class and the final project is plenty, I think. It would be great to use that time period; January through May, to plan my next stage of life while I finish up school. You know what, I made my decision. I am not going to take any extra classes next semester. I'll do my mandatory class and the project. That's a lot of work by itself. Then I'll be done in May and can start a new life.
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Works4me
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Post by Works4me on Oct 26, 2014 12:07:00 GMT -5
That is a great plan, Ava! Don't forget that with the Internet and books, you can study those subject matters on your own in the future. Also, you will probably have to take CEU's for to keep your license current and could study those topics then. IMHO, one of the best parts of an education is kmowing how to learn. I am really proud of you for persevering and you too Flutterby - go get 'em girls! &
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flutterby
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Post by flutterby on Oct 26, 2014 12:21:53 GMT -5
Ava, I think that's an excellent decision and one you'll be very happy you made come spring!
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Oct 26, 2014 19:53:40 GMT -5
I have never worked for one of the Big 4 CPA firms. However, I have worked at a small regional firm, Block, a large regional firm and two one owner funds with small staffs. During tax season, there is no such thing as 40 hours per week at those jobs. At the small firms, tax season ends October 15. At the large regional firm, they work us like crazy during tax season and the regular staff picks up the difference after April 15.
I know at that firm, on the audit side, there was no such thing as a consistent 40 hour work week.
My nephew is in his first job outside after his MBA. He just passed the CPA exam and the paperwork is in process to receive his license. He says he rarely works 8-5 and then he has been going home and studying for the CPA exam. Now he is after some other exam that is only three parts. Like he says, he will have to do CPE for his CPA license, but not for a year.
Good luck to you Ava. I only wish you the best.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2014 22:11:11 GMT -5
If i were the manager, i would quickly regret being so understanding the first time. Why can't you just study the weekend before or at least take just 1 day off? Sure you can take time off without pay but this is making you look like an unreliable employee and one that is not very capable of handling anything even remotely challenging.
Also, on the waiting/expecting the work culture to change in the US... Talk about living in a fantasy land.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Oct 27, 2014 10:06:00 GMT -5
You said in your original post that you're "going crazy" right now with 4 classes and a full-time job. You only have one course left to take next semester for your MBA. If it were me, I'd take the last class, get an A in it and be done with it. Take another class in the future when you don't feel so much degree pressure.
For what it's worth as a manager, having an additional class or 2 on the resume does not impress me at all. I need to see practical application and experience, not more college electives. If somebody wanted to sign up for a class while working for me that could provide value to the job, then I'd want to see them apply their learnings to the job. I will give them projects and software, if applicable to practice what they learned. This can happen at any time, not just during a degree. So, focus on getting your last class for your MBA and sitting for the CPA. After that's all said and done, you're settled in a new job, and you're itching for course work again, then seek out the elective courses that will help you grow.
The reason I am this way is because too many times during interviews I would question an applicant about a course or a technology on their resume and they couldn't remember anything about it. The great applicants could speak expertly about it, how they used it in their jobs and how they could use it in the job I'm hiring for. Those were the rare gems.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Oct 27, 2014 18:15:18 GMT -5
If i were the manager, i would quickly regret being so understanding the first time. Why can't you just study the weekend before or at least take just 1 day off? Sure you can take time off without pay but this is making you look like an unreliable employee and one that is not very capable of handling anything even remotely challenging. Also, on the waiting/expecting the work culture to change in the US... Talk about living in a fantasy land. Maybe he will regret it, I don't know. About the work culture changing. I am already seeing it in younger people around me. They work the hours they are supposed to work and then leave. I mostly see old timers "working" the long hours. The thing is; your mind is alert for a while, then you start getting tired, hungry, cold, sleepy, etc. Staying at work a ton of hours doesn't necessarily equal more productivity. In the end, I really don't care if the work culture in the U.S. changes or not. It is not what I want for myself and I've been able to avoid the long hours so far. I intend to avoid them in the future also, thank you very much.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Oct 27, 2014 18:19:51 GMT -5
That's fine. I appreciate the honesty. I remember everyone telling me not to take the 4 classes. The thing is; I'm tired of this life of work and study. I want to be done soon. I am doing surprisingly well in school given the circumstances. And I know an 80 doesn't sound like much. But when you find a class that's very difficult for you, an 80 is a lot. Besides, everybody who took this class said he curves the final grade at the end of the semester. I am almost set on doing the three classes and the final project next semester. Since it will be my last semester, I want to absorb as much as I can. Those two classes are optional, but they would be perfect for me. Besides, like I said, Statistics brought my GPA down and I want a chance to improve it. Ava, only you will be able to determine what is your best path forward. I stopped posting about my school related activities because I did not feel it was helpful to me as I got similar messages as you are getting, slow down, do less, etc. That isn't who I am, lol! Similarly to you, I really want to be done and I'm not interested in taking one to two classes at a time, paying twice the amount in tuition, and taking 7 years to graduate. I'm too old for this already . I decided instead to power through! this. Yes - it makes for some very uncomfortable weeks at points in the semester, and usually 1-2 spots where work, school, and home issues are all coming to a head at once competing for urgency. Welp - c'est la guerre! I was unable to commit to school until I decided that school was the top priority over my job, not second fiddle. Once that occurred - then I signed up. For whatever reason - I couldn't envision how this would work until that change occurred internally. Taking classes that you enjoy and are interested in also makes a huge difference. I understand that this one particular class is a tough one for you, but next semester you note 2 classes that you are intrinsically interested in. That is a huge huge difference in how that impacts you. if you 'handle' the 4 this semester with this required bear of a course, I see no reason to not take 3 next semester - with topics you are actually excited about. Especially as you last semester - what a motivator! Whatever you decide, good luck! and - enjoy! Oh, Rukh. We are in the same boat, girl I actually think that my undergraduate adviser was 100% correct when he said in MY particular case the best option was to go as fast as possible. I'm exactly in your same situation. In the end, if I have to choose between a few more months at this job or finishing my degree, I've already decided I choose the second. Like you, I don't want to take 4 or 5 years to complete my degree, paying double for tuition. I am also at an age when I cannot really take that long.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Oct 27, 2014 18:21:37 GMT -5
I have never worked for one of the Big 4 CPA firms. However, I have worked at a small regional firm, Block, a large regional firm and two one owner funds with small staffs. During tax season, there is no such thing as 40 hours per week at those jobs. At the small firms, tax season ends October 15. At the large regional firm, they work us like crazy during tax season and the regular staff picks up the difference after April 15. I know at that firm, on the audit side, there was no such thing as a consistent 40 hour work week. My nephew is in his first job outside after his MBA. He just passed the CPA exam and the paperwork is in process to receive his license. He says he rarely works 8-5 and then he has been going home and studying for the CPA exam. Now he is after some other exam that is only three parts. Like he says, he will have to do CPE for his CPA license, but not for a year. Good luck to you Ava. I only wish you the best. I know you wish me the best. Thanks for your support. It means a lot to me.
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bimetalaupt
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Post by bimetalaupt on Oct 27, 2014 21:47:37 GMT -5
Rukh, Good advice. I did my MBA in Finance with My thesis in Risk Management: The education paid for itself before I got the "Sheep Skin". My return on my education is about 20%+. Power to do my own thing.
God bless, Bruce
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bimetalaupt
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Post by bimetalaupt on Nov 23, 2014 23:54:16 GMT -5
Rukh, Good advice. I did my MBA in Finance with My thesis in Risk Management: The education paid for itself before I got the "Sheep Skin". My return on my education is about 20%+. Power to do my own thing.
God bless, Bruce
Rukh, How is the MBA coming. 20% return is nothing for a hot MBA but is nice as you may control your own risk.
Just a thought, BiMetalAuPt
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Nov 24, 2014 1:05:08 GMT -5
Bimetalaupt, I believe that Ruhk is going for her PhD, while Ava is working toward her MBA
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bimetalaupt
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Post by bimetalaupt on Nov 24, 2014 2:49:42 GMT -5
Bimetalaupt, I believe that Ruhk is going for her PhD, while Ava is working toward her MBA X , Have one of those also in Biochemistry Microbiology: never paid off: Long story as I was heading for a MD. BiMetalAuPt
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Nov 24, 2014 22:59:28 GMT -5
Employers who want their employees to get MBA's are pretty flexible about time needed for classes and studying.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Nov 24, 2014 23:04:34 GMT -5
Ava , what happened with your 2 tests and 2 papers?
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Nov 25, 2014 0:43:00 GMT -5
Ava , what happened with your 2 tests and 2 papers?I had the tests and the papers. Did relatively well. I took two days off work, my manager had no problem with that.
Now I am heading towards the last two weeks for this semester. It was a very difficult one, and now it's almost over.
I already enrolled in the one class I need to take next semester, and my final project was approved.
I already applied for graduation. Very happy about that. It looks like I'll pass all classes this semester. Thanks for asking!
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Nov 25, 2014 0:46:10 GMT -5
Ava , what happened with your 2 tests and 2 papers?I had the tests and the papers. Did relatively well. I took two days off work, my manager had no problem with that.
Now I am heading towards the last two weeks for this semester. It was a very difficult one, and now it's almost over.
I already enrolled in the one class I need to take next semester, and my final project was approved.
I already applied for graduation. Very happy about that. It looks like I'll pass all classes this semester. Thanks for asking!
That sounds awesome.
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