How to Learn More About Accounting Careers

When I was in high school and college, I was interested in many careers but wasn't quite sure where to find good information. In this article, I'll provide you links and ideas on exploring the possibility of a career in the accounting field.

1) First, there is some research on accounting careers that you can do at home or at school.

A good place to start is the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Useful information available includes average salaries, typical working conditions, and career growth projections.
I've included links to the online version of this book you may find useful specifically for accounting at the end of this article. Feel free to explore the entire site yourself as well, which is operated by the U.S. Department of Labor.

2) If you're still in high school or college, see if you can arrange an internship through your school where you can work with an accountant.

This will help you test drive the career and see if you'd actually like it long-term.

3) If this is not possible, at least try to find an accountant (possibly one that is self-employed) who will let you spend a day with them for a shorter experience of what the position is like.

More Tips:

• Realize that creating a career for yourself is a process. You don't have to know everything in your late teens and early 20s, but it's better when you're well-informed and know what to expect.
• If you're Generation Y or younger, you have to expect the possibility of having multiple careers during your lifetime. This should be something to consider when setting career and education goals.

Resources:

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Accountants and Auditors Information
Occupation Search