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How can I realistically manage my time and energy while working full time, going to school, and caring for a preschooler, and also position myself to transition from a strictly accounts payable role to a broader ERP/financial systems accounting career? #Spring25

I completed my associate's degree in applied science and I am returning to school for my bachelor's in accounting. I am currently an accounts payable associate and looking to shift more towards ERP systems.

finance accounting erp accounts-payable financial-systems
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Guillermo’s Answer

Hi Corina,

I know prior responses have focused on the schooling/career aspect, but I am going to go for the life relevant approach.

As someone that went through the same situation - full time employee while in college with toddlers - planning is everything. Look at your schedule and see where course/study time/family time can be arranged. Don't forget to add in transition/travel time, remain flexible/adaptive, and make time for yourself.

There will be times where you feel overwhelmed, and its ok to step away for a minute and take a deep breath. If you are able, lean on your family and friends to help with childcare - even if its just 30 minutes where you can focus on what you need to do.

I know it seems like a lot right now, but you will get through it.
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Stephanie’s Answer

First off, I want to acknowledge that what you are doing is impressive. My biggest advice is to give yourself grace in those hard moments. There are times when you are going to feel like you are failing at all three aspects at once and that is extra challenging when you are likely working extremely hard at all of them. Take care of yourself the best that you can. Ask for support from family and friends when you need it, but also know how to say no when there are obligations that will only drain you. Let your standards drop some on things that aren't as important. Are there things you are doing now that don't need to happen, how can you trim back on your obligations in a way that leaves the most important obligations in the front getting the attention they deserve.

Is there opportunity for growth or cross functionality in your current role? If so, talking to your manager about those opportunities and your desire to learn more might be step one.
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Alejandra’s Answer

The answers above are great, on top of what they have already shared, I'll say you should not forget about allocating time for yourself and review your support network. While is amazing all what you have been able to accomplish on your own, having a support circle is a key element to success. If you can rely on a partner, parents, friends, etc. to "make your life easier" in the sense of helping picking up the "not urgent" task that will help you to better balance your energy.
Also, listening to your body when it's sick or exhausted also helps to ensure you can manage your energy. I remember after my parent's divorce my Mother used to say, Sunday is for resting -she used to do double shift as an elementary school teacher (morning / afternoon), come home to me and my brother having helped around the house, dedicate time to listen to use and check what needed to be done to keep things moving, somehow she managed to keep studying and reach a position where she could take care of her children mostly on her own. Sunday we dedicated to church, family time and getting ready for the week.
For now, consider the time you have in your hands, your priorities and place yourself a top of them!
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Rafael’s Answer

Hey Corina, managing full-time work, school, and a preschooler is impressive, and it's great that you're thinking about advancing your career. For time management, it's helpful to block out specific times for schoolwork—like during nap times, after bedtime, or weekend mornings—and batch tasks to minimize switching between activities. Lean on your support system when possible, whether that's family, a partner, or another parent. Transitioning from accounts payable to ERP and financial systems roles is a solid move; your AP experience gives you valuable insight into transaction flows, which is important for ERP consultants and financial systems analysts. Building familiarity with platforms like SAP, Oracle, or your company's ERP and pursuing certifications, such as Microsoft Azure Fundamentals or SAP Finance modules, can help set you apart. Volunteering for system-related projects at work, even small ones, will provide useful experience and talking points for interviews. As you finish your accounting degree, consider electives in information systems or business analytics if available, as this combination is highly sought after for ERP financial systems positions and will make your transition smoother. I hope this helps!
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Chandler’s Answer

You have an extreme amount of responsibility. It will take a very assertive approach to balance these responsibilities. The quadrant philosophy is the best when extreme measures are required in time management. The reason is logic will be required for your choices. In this philosophy you must bucket all your activities into four quadrants: (1) urgent and unimportant (ringing phone, social alerts, interruptions) (2) urgent and important (picking up a sick child from school) (3) unimportant and not urgent (watching tv) (4) important and not urgent.

List all the things you do into the four quadrants as soon as you can. You are always going to do (2). There is no avoiding these so don't try. The good thing is they are the smallest number on the list. Follow the steps below and watch your health and life begin to improve.

Chandler recommends the following next steps:

Stop doing things number (1) immediately until balance is achieved.
This is the hardest and most important part. Start getting help or saying no to quadrant (2) so you can concentrate on quadrant (4).
The more you work on (4) the fewer things will appear in (2). Be clear about this to the people you ask for help from and the people you say no to. It helps a lot.
The more you say no to quadrants (1), (2,) and (3) the less you will be put into situations where they come up. It appears to be magic at first until you realize it is human nature and people were not putting you first.
As your life becomes more balanced and your time grows. Pay it forward and share this technique. You will be astonished by its power.
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Steven’s Answer

Corina,

While I don’t particularly disagree with anything that the other responders have said, there are other factors going on here. You say that you want be in ERP systems. What does that mean? You want to be an implementer, you want to work with ERP systems? Other? In any case, an accounting degree will not help you with preparation for an IT based career, if that’s what you mean. Throughout my accounting career, I worked with many ERP systems, were involved in many implementations, etc . So was I an ERP expert? No, but I could talk about all aspects of them. Also, no one has said anything about the effect and changes that AI is having on erp systems as well as how it will affect accounting graduates. You may want to speak with career guidance at your college or with the CIO, CFO, controller and others in IT and accounting leadership roles to help you determine which way to go. Hope this helps.
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