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How did the challenges faced while earning your accounting degree help you in your professional career? #fall25
I am a sophomore accounting student at a four-year university that has at times struggled with keeping up with my studies; however, I am very determined to earn my degree and work as an accountant in real estate.
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Wong’s Answer
Hi Natasha. As a lecturer in accounting, I know firsthand that the challenges you face while earning your degree can actually help you a lot in your future career. The obstacles you encounter during your studies are not just problems, they are opportunities to build the skills and habits you will need as a professional.
For example, one of the biggest challenges in accounting is managing a lot of information and staying on top of your coursework. There will be times when it feels like there is too much to learn. But facing these challenges will teach you important skills, like time management and how to prioritize your tasks. These skills are extremely useful in the real world of accounting, where you need to meet deadlines, pay attention to details, and manage multiple tasks at once.
Another challenge you may face is understanding difficult accounting concepts. But the more you push through these struggles, the better you'll get at solving problems and thinking critically. For example, when you're having trouble with something like financial statement analysis, it forces you to think deeper and figure out different ways to understand the material.
Your determination to finish your degree, even when things get tough, will also help you a lot in your career. In the professional world, there will be moments when you face tight deadlines, unexpected complications, or even setbacks. The ability to keep going, to remain focused on your long-term goals, and to continuously improve is what will set you apart as a successful accountant. All the best.
For example, one of the biggest challenges in accounting is managing a lot of information and staying on top of your coursework. There will be times when it feels like there is too much to learn. But facing these challenges will teach you important skills, like time management and how to prioritize your tasks. These skills are extremely useful in the real world of accounting, where you need to meet deadlines, pay attention to details, and manage multiple tasks at once.
Another challenge you may face is understanding difficult accounting concepts. But the more you push through these struggles, the better you'll get at solving problems and thinking critically. For example, when you're having trouble with something like financial statement analysis, it forces you to think deeper and figure out different ways to understand the material.
Your determination to finish your degree, even when things get tough, will also help you a lot in your career. In the professional world, there will be moments when you face tight deadlines, unexpected complications, or even setbacks. The ability to keep going, to remain focused on your long-term goals, and to continuously improve is what will set you apart as a successful accountant. All the best.
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hi Natasha,
As an accounting/finance major (and a CPA at a Big Four), I experienced many challenges in my accounting coursework. Lots of it is obviously not intuitive and can be difficult to grasp. I remember getting horrible scores on exams (we were graded on a curve) and those would get me down because I was used to scoring high. But at the same time, it makes you realize that you do not know everything and that there is a lot more to learn; in a way, it humbles you. That certainly helped me in my career because you approach things with a more open mind, not to mention approaching things with more brainpower and intensity (to try and avoid being wrong). It is honestly difficult to identify and know how those experiences have shaped who I am today and how I work, but I think this example is the one that is most clear to me personally.
What I would suggest (if you're open to advice) is to not get down on yourself about poor scores. Keeping up with your workload is a bit different, since you should be able to get it done if you put the time into it (but you might not have enough time for the best quality). But in both of these instances, if you are doing the best you can and you can't do anything more, then I wouldn't worry about the outcomes. If you're doing the best you can, you are working at your highest capacity, and that in itself is admirable. If you learn that, you won't forget it, and I am sure that will stay with you into the beginning of your career as a professional.
Good luck with your studies.
-Anthony
As an accounting/finance major (and a CPA at a Big Four), I experienced many challenges in my accounting coursework. Lots of it is obviously not intuitive and can be difficult to grasp. I remember getting horrible scores on exams (we were graded on a curve) and those would get me down because I was used to scoring high. But at the same time, it makes you realize that you do not know everything and that there is a lot more to learn; in a way, it humbles you. That certainly helped me in my career because you approach things with a more open mind, not to mention approaching things with more brainpower and intensity (to try and avoid being wrong). It is honestly difficult to identify and know how those experiences have shaped who I am today and how I work, but I think this example is the one that is most clear to me personally.
What I would suggest (if you're open to advice) is to not get down on yourself about poor scores. Keeping up with your workload is a bit different, since you should be able to get it done if you put the time into it (but you might not have enough time for the best quality). But in both of these instances, if you are doing the best you can and you can't do anything more, then I wouldn't worry about the outcomes. If you're doing the best you can, you are working at your highest capacity, and that in itself is admirable. If you learn that, you won't forget it, and I am sure that will stay with you into the beginning of your career as a professional.
Good luck with your studies.
-Anthony
Updated
Maryann’s Answer
Accounting courses can be challenging, but they help you learn how to juggle different tasks and manage your time well. By creating a schedule, you can tackle the workload more easily. You might need to change your daily routine a bit, but you'll find it gets easier with time!