3 answers
Abel
Student
Sherman, Texas
2
Questions
Asked
365 views
How much does starting at a community college impact my opportunities in accounting, particularly in terms of networking, internships, and recruiting by major firms? Would attending a university from the beginning provide a significant advantage, or can I achieve similar outcomes through the community college transfer pathway?
I will be graduating high school this May and plan to major in accounting. My dad already told me that he can't help me pay for college, so I am deciding between attending a community college, which I can afford, or enrolling directly in a university, which would require me to take out student loans.
3 answers
Brad Rush
Certified Public Accountant
5
Answers
Moseley, Virginia
Updated
Brad’s Answer
Great question!
1. Starting at a community college won't hold back your accounting career if you transfer by junior year. Employers focus more on your GPA, internships, and when you graduate rather than where you began your studies.
2. Once you transfer to a university, you'll have access to the same networking opportunities, accounting clubs, career fairs, and recruitment channels as those who started there.
3. The timing of your internships matters more than where you started school. Being at a university by junior year sets you up for the important junior-to-senior summer internship that often leads to full-time job offers.
4. Starting at a university from day one only gives a small head start and doesn't justify taking on large student loans, especially in a field with standard early-career salaries.
5. Choosing the community college to university transfer path is a smart financial and professional move for accounting. It helps you reduce debt while still competing for roles at Big 4, national, and regional firms.
Wishing you success in your journey!
1. Starting at a community college won't hold back your accounting career if you transfer by junior year. Employers focus more on your GPA, internships, and when you graduate rather than where you began your studies.
2. Once you transfer to a university, you'll have access to the same networking opportunities, accounting clubs, career fairs, and recruitment channels as those who started there.
3. The timing of your internships matters more than where you started school. Being at a university by junior year sets you up for the important junior-to-senior summer internship that often leads to full-time job offers.
4. Starting at a university from day one only gives a small head start and doesn't justify taking on large student loans, especially in a field with standard early-career salaries.
5. Choosing the community college to university transfer path is a smart financial and professional move for accounting. It helps you reduce debt while still competing for roles at Big 4, national, and regional firms.
Wishing you success in your journey!
Nellie Bloom
Consultant
4
Answers
Matawan, New Jersey
Updated
Nellie’s Answer
Attending community college will not impact your opportunities at all. I attended community college and then transferred to a 4 year state school and had no issues getting recruited and hired by a Big 4 firm. Do yourself a favor and go to community college and do your best to graduate with as little student loans as possible. This will set you up for success in life.
Jordyn Bushnell
Finance, accounting, and consulting
5
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Jordyn’s Answer
Starting at a community college will not have negative impact on your opportunity in accounting. I encourage you to get involved to demonstrate your interest in accounting and finance even in your community college. Look for classes related to finance and accounting if available. Join student organizations. Seek internship opportunities or job opportunities that will give you direct exposure to accounting and finance, with local businesses or with the community college. There could be accounting jobs on campus even - student associations, school newspaper, etc. all need finance work.
The biggest advantage you have in seeking accounting work is to be looking for internship opportunities right when you transfer. Internships before your last year of undergrad are the most critical for accounting jobs.
The biggest advantage you have in seeking accounting work is to be looking for internship opportunities right when you transfer. Internships before your last year of undergrad are the most critical for accounting jobs.
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