The accounting industry job market is evolving, and college students are changing their job search strategies to keep up with the resulting changes. Accounting students are adapting to these shifts by trying to differentiate themselves from the competition – starting their job search early, leveraging technology, and expanding their skill set beyond traditional accounting roles. Here is a framework of how college students can approach their quest for employment upon graduation.
Start Early
So, you’re a freshman and just got to campus a few weeks ago? OK, get to that career fair. Odds are most employers will not have any sort of internship waiting for you, but it is still an opportunity to immerse yourself into the process – see how it operates, learn what to say (and what not to say!), and begin building your network. Collect business cards and get on mailing lists, then make sure to revisit those employers the following year to continue building that relationship.
Job Shadow/Informational Visit
Not quite ready for an internship? Ask employers about the opportunity to do a job shadow or to visit their office for an informational discussion. Doing this will give you a better idea of the industry, the nature of the work, and how employees interact within the organization. This is a great way to gain valuable insight and help ensure that this is the direction you want to take your career.
Internships
Once you have a few related courses under your belt, you’ve established a foundation upon which you can build from real world experience. Books and lectures can only take you so far. Applying that knowledge in a real-time setting is where the learning is engrained and the work internalized, providing you with a better sense of whether this is the career path for you.
Technology
Many students already have the mindset of using technology to assist them in their career search endeavors. Technology, as you might imagine, is also playing a larger role in the working world. Make sure that you are plugged in with your campus recruiting website, which most schools use for career-related event registration, keep resumes on file, and communicate with students. These sites even tend to broker activities between students and employers. Oh, and AI? It’s going to save you time when it comes to creating resumes and cover letters.
Network, Network, Network
Networking cannot be emphasized enough, and it is one of the primary reasons to get started early with the process. Over the course of your college career, you will have numerous opportunities to interact with people, whether they be employers, professors, career services staff, alumni and even other students, who may hold the key to your next move. Utilize these relationships to help you gain opportunities that you would likely not otherwise have, if not for these associations.
