Changing careers...

[Ja Rhule]

So I graduated college with triple major in Accounting, Finance and International Business.  I always loved International Business because it relates to global policies, sanctions, tarrifs, quotas, exchange rates, multinational corporations, risk and etc...  I realized that I will have a hard time finding a job with just international business major so I double majored in finance so I looked more qualified.  In 2008 market tanked and many finance majors lost their jobs and flooded the market, I had to think fast and I also majored to accounting.  I graduated with all three majors and start looking for a job...  I applied to many positions but no one ever called me for international business job.  Everyone wanted to have an experienced employee...  I actually have a lot of real life experience but it's not on paper so no one cared.  I received 1 job offer from BB&T for financial analyst and few others in accounting field.  I picked accounting cause it was more money and more challanging.  For the past 5 years I've been working as an accountant for a large company and was quickly promoted to senior manager and then assistant controller. 

 

Thing is... accounting was always my back-up choice and international business is something I trully enjoy.  How can I go now from working as an accountant to international business?  I have a feeling unless miracle happens, I will probably be accountant until my retirement....

[Jase]

When you figure this out, let me know.  My wife is pretty miserable.

 

She graduated undergrad in 2007, then got a job with Pulte Homes. (lol)  She decided that her passion was to become a librarian, so she took night school classes to get a masters in Library Science.

 

2008 happened and Pulte completely closed their doors in charlotte.  Going on unemployment, she was steered to find a job, any job.  She landed in insurance.

 

She finished her masters in 2008, with no library jobs to be found.  We had kids, and suddenly she could also no longer take a paycut to find a different job because finances were so tight.

 

So now she hates me for telling her that she can't take a part time library position in a library to get her foot in the door.  Because we cannot afford it.

 

 

 

I would say look at your finances, and if they allow it, try to find a low-pay position.  That's the only way I think you can compete with kids coming out of school.

[Ja Rhule]

I'm projected to get a massive pay raise in few months and it's nice but that's not where I wanted to be in 5 years!!!  Most people would consider me fortunate... Having my own office (with a window), tell people what to do and knowing that no one can step over me.  It's a great feeling and I love it but not where my passion is.

[DirtyMagic97]

I'd have to know what you want to do in international business and who you want to do it for to provide any help, because "international business" isn't a career.

 

The obvious answer is to research some of the better MBA programs in the country. With your experience professionally and academically, you could get close to a full scholarship at some high-level programs with an upper-tier GMAT score.

[Scrumtrilescent]

Man, I wonder what the best International Business MBA program in the country is.  Be great if was right down the road...

[thefuzz]

I know very few people who do well working/living out their "passions".

 

 

It's only 40 hours per week, grin and bear it, and set you family up financially for the next 50 years....that is my passion.

[Ja Rhule]

I'd have to know what you want to do in international business and who you want to do it for to provide any help, because "international business" isn't a career.

 

The obvious answer is to research some of the better MBA programs in the country. With your experience professionally and academically, you could get close to a full scholarship at some high-level programs with an upper-tier GMAT score.

 

I love dealing with risk, exchange rates and global policies.

[DirtyMagic97]

I love dealing with risk, exchange rates and global policies.

 

Hmm. So, the financial side with a little bit of policy.

 

There are a few tracks I suppose. The aforementioned GMAT track is one. You could also try getting in with a consulting company like McKinsey, EY, Deloitte, etc... See if one of those companies can get you on some international projects. Your experience is both relevant and impressive and you likely wouldn't have to start at the bottom there.

[Ja Rhule]

Hmm. So, the financial side with a little bit of policy.

 

There are a few tracks I suppose. The aforementioned GMAT track is one. You could also try getting in with a consulting company like McKinsey, EY, Deloitte, etc... See if one of those companies can get you on some international projects. Your experience is both relevant and impressive and you likely wouldn't have to start at the bottom there.

 

I'm also willing to go back to school but I want my employer to pay at least a small portion for my grad school, my current employer is not going to pay for International Business MBA of course.

 

How do I get in touch with big firms?  Just shoot them an e-mail?

[DirtyMagic97]

Man, I wonder what the best International Business MBA program in the country is.  Be great if was right down the road...

 

USC- Darla Moore is a great program. I hear George Mason has a really good IMBA program as well.

[DirtyMagic97]

I'm also willing to go back to school but I want my employer to pay at least a small portion for my grad school, my current employer is not going to pay for International Business MBA of course.

 

How do I get in touch with big firms?  Just shoot them an e-mail?

 

Again- I think you could ease a huge chunk of the burden in scholarships alone. Last year, I got a full-ride to UF to complete my MBA, but I turned it down to return to work for a bit longer. It was deferred one more year, so I will likely be starting my MBA in 2015.

 

I recommend browsing the career sections at some of the big firms. See if any of the available listings meet your criteria. A lot of these firms bring in a ton of people to interview, so it's really important that you find some way to differentiate yourself.

[Ja Rhule]

USC- Darla Moore is a great program. I hear George Mason has a really good IMBA program as well.

 

I actually looked at it.  I was about to take GMAT and apply to wake forrest but many people suggested not to get my MBA until a job is lined up with a good pay.  GMAT can cost close to $100k with 10% annual interest on loans.  If I get my MBA but fail to get a job, I will be completely screwed.

[DirtyMagic97]

I actually looked at it.  I was about to take GMAT and apply to wake forrest but many people suggested not to get my MBA until a job is lined up with a good pay.  GMAT can cost close to $100k with 10% annual interest on loans.  If I get my MBA but fail to get a job, I will be completely screwed.

 

It depends on the program. General consensus is that if you can't get into a top 20 program, you should not go. If you scored in excess of 700 on the GMAT, you'd have a shot at top 10. If you get into a top 10 program, you will get a job, it will be high paying, and it will most likely be in the field you choose.

[Anybodyhome]

http://www.boston.com/jobs/2013/12/27/top-fastest-growing-jobs/aUvFsEjhGN3iqQcNKohycM/story.html#slide-5

 

1. Biomedical engineers

2. Network systems and data communications analysts

3. Home health aides

4. Personal and home care aides

5. Financial analysts

6. Medical scientists

7. Physician assistants

8. Skin care specialists

9. Biochemists and biophysicists

10. Athletic trainers

 

Read the rest for yourself.