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How can i get a mentor to help pursue my career?
I am a 10th grade atudent interested in pursuing accounting or economics or its relations.
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8 answers
Updated
Flora’s Answer
Steven, it's wonderful to see your enthusiasm for accounting.
Let's explore some questions to help you clarify your choices:
How deep is your passion for accounting or economics?
Do you possess the necessary patience and skills for this profession?
A mentor can be anyone from your school, a family member, or the corporate world. Career Village.org provides you with the chance to have numerous mentors in the field, answering your questions and guiding you on your career path. If you prefer a one-on-one discussion with a mentor, your high school accounting teacher is a great place to start, as they can guide you towards the right college. Another idea is to seek a summer internship in an accounting firm or a volunteer organization. Your aim is to connect with people in the profession and gain practical experience.
Embarking on a career in accounting or economics involves a combination of the right education, professional certifications, and practical experience. For instance, if you choose to major in accounting, you'll need at least five years of college education to fulfill some licensing requirements. Accounting is applicable in various fields like external reporting, tax, auditing, financial planning and analysis, and teaching.
Here's a simple guide to help you start your journey in this field:
Education: Aim for a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance. Ensure that your chosen program is accredited by a recognized body for qualifying licenses like CPA, CMA, CFA, CIA, CGMA (refer to the AICPA website).
Skills and Knowledge: Familiarity with accounting software, spreadsheet programs, and other essential tools like Microsoft Excel is often a prerequisite for accounting jobs.
Internships and Entry-Level Jobs/Networking: Start building your resume with real-world experience through internships or entry-level jobs while in college or even now. Hands-on practice will help you apply your theoretical knowledge and determine if accounting is the right career for you. Attend career fairs and networking events to meet with different accounting or corporate firms.
Professional Certifications: After completing your college education and gaining some practical experience through internships, you can start preparing for a professional certification exam. After passing the exam, you'll need to complete the required years of experience to be licensed in the field.
Stay Informed and Keep Learning: Many accounting certifications require you to continue learning and stay current with changes in your field, like accounting standards and tax regulations.
Any career in accounting can be rewarding, provided you have a passion for it. Wish you the best in your endeavor of making the right choice in your career.
Let's explore some questions to help you clarify your choices:
How deep is your passion for accounting or economics?
Do you possess the necessary patience and skills for this profession?
A mentor can be anyone from your school, a family member, or the corporate world. Career Village.org provides you with the chance to have numerous mentors in the field, answering your questions and guiding you on your career path. If you prefer a one-on-one discussion with a mentor, your high school accounting teacher is a great place to start, as they can guide you towards the right college. Another idea is to seek a summer internship in an accounting firm or a volunteer organization. Your aim is to connect with people in the profession and gain practical experience.
Embarking on a career in accounting or economics involves a combination of the right education, professional certifications, and practical experience. For instance, if you choose to major in accounting, you'll need at least five years of college education to fulfill some licensing requirements. Accounting is applicable in various fields like external reporting, tax, auditing, financial planning and analysis, and teaching.
Here's a simple guide to help you start your journey in this field:
Education: Aim for a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance. Ensure that your chosen program is accredited by a recognized body for qualifying licenses like CPA, CMA, CFA, CIA, CGMA (refer to the AICPA website).
Skills and Knowledge: Familiarity with accounting software, spreadsheet programs, and other essential tools like Microsoft Excel is often a prerequisite for accounting jobs.
Internships and Entry-Level Jobs/Networking: Start building your resume with real-world experience through internships or entry-level jobs while in college or even now. Hands-on practice will help you apply your theoretical knowledge and determine if accounting is the right career for you. Attend career fairs and networking events to meet with different accounting or corporate firms.
Professional Certifications: After completing your college education and gaining some practical experience through internships, you can start preparing for a professional certification exam. After passing the exam, you'll need to complete the required years of experience to be licensed in the field.
Stay Informed and Keep Learning: Many accounting certifications require you to continue learning and stay current with changes in your field, like accounting standards and tax regulations.
Any career in accounting can be rewarding, provided you have a passion for it. Wish you the best in your endeavor of making the right choice in your career.
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hello, Steven!
It's truly wonderful that you're considering finding a mentor. Mentors can be incredibly beneficial, and your interest in seeking one shows your eagerness to grow.
Start by envisioning someone you admire, or someone who possesses the wisdom and guidance that you seek at this stage in your life.
Kick things off by jotting down what you hope to gain from a mentor. Then, start compiling a list of individuals you know or are aware of who could potentially offer you the guidance you're seeking. The next step is to initiate those connections and find out who might be receptive to the idea.
Remember, your mentors will naturally evolve over time as you continue to grow and develop. So, embrace this journey, knowing that each mentor will contribute to your personal and professional evolution.
It's truly wonderful that you're considering finding a mentor. Mentors can be incredibly beneficial, and your interest in seeking one shows your eagerness to grow.
Start by envisioning someone you admire, or someone who possesses the wisdom and guidance that you seek at this stage in your life.
Kick things off by jotting down what you hope to gain from a mentor. Then, start compiling a list of individuals you know or are aware of who could potentially offer you the guidance you're seeking. The next step is to initiate those connections and find out who might be receptive to the idea.
Remember, your mentors will naturally evolve over time as you continue to grow and develop. So, embrace this journey, knowing that each mentor will contribute to your personal and professional evolution.
Updated
Carrie’s Answer
Generally, it's just a matter of asking a few people. Ideally, you want to have a list of goals you want your mentor to advise you on. Given your age, I would recommend approaching your teachers. They can help prepare you for college and provide recommendations. Once you get into college, target professors and individuals you meet in internships you may participate in. Once you get a job, you can join professional organizations and network with more senior employees at your company.
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Steven - you have asked an interesting question and received excellent advice. I just want to add a few thoughts about mentoring:
- Mentoring is not the same as getting you a job, although a mentor could certainly help you network and prepare for interviews.
- Mentoring should be a two-way relationship. So you should look for ways to be helpful to your mentor, such as congratulating them if they or their firm win recognition, sending articles/links to information about developments in the field, or resources you find out about in class
- Offer to help them with something you may know better than they do, such as social media (this is sometimes called reverse mentoring)
Good luck!
- Mentoring is not the same as getting you a job, although a mentor could certainly help you network and prepare for interviews.
- Mentoring should be a two-way relationship. So you should look for ways to be helpful to your mentor, such as congratulating them if they or their firm win recognition, sending articles/links to information about developments in the field, or resources you find out about in class
- Offer to help them with something you may know better than they do, such as social media (this is sometimes called reverse mentoring)
Good luck!
Updated
Molly’s Answer
Hi Steven!
In order to find a mentor in accounting or economics, I suggest first writing down what you are hoping to get out of the relationship with a mentor. Some questions to consider might be: What do you want to know about their career journey? What do you want to know about their current job? How often to do you want to meet with them? How long do you want those meetings to be? Would you like to meet in person or in another way? What else might you want to learn from this person outside of their professional experience?
Once you have a clear idea of what you want the mentorship to look like, I suggest talking with trusted adults in your life about who they might know in the field. Ask teachers, family members, community members about their friends & family who might work in accounting/economics/etc. Having some sort of personal connection can make a big difference. Once you have found a few folks you can share your goal(s) of the mentorship and discuss how to best move forward.
Best of luck!
In order to find a mentor in accounting or economics, I suggest first writing down what you are hoping to get out of the relationship with a mentor. Some questions to consider might be: What do you want to know about their career journey? What do you want to know about their current job? How often to do you want to meet with them? How long do you want those meetings to be? Would you like to meet in person or in another way? What else might you want to learn from this person outside of their professional experience?
Once you have a clear idea of what you want the mentorship to look like, I suggest talking with trusted adults in your life about who they might know in the field. Ask teachers, family members, community members about their friends & family who might work in accounting/economics/etc. Having some sort of personal connection can make a big difference. Once you have found a few folks you can share your goal(s) of the mentorship and discuss how to best move forward.
Best of luck!
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hi Steven,
I hope you are having a great new year! If you have done anything in school related to economics, I would create a LinkedIn Profile. Fill in all of the experience you have with econ, any work or volunteer experiences, and some skills you have. I would then become familiar with the Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) to ensure you are familiar with some of the tools that will be used in corporate. Once you do those things, look at people's LinkedIn profiles, ask to connect, and start a conversation about what a career in economics looks like. The more contacts you make, the more likely you will find someone who is willing to mentor you.
Once you find a mentor, set up a recurring meeting with them (most likely over the phone). Come prepared to each meeting with questions you have or topics you want to discuss (Google can help you think of things). Bonus points if you send your questions to your mentor ahead of time.
I hope this helps and best of luck!
I hope you are having a great new year! If you have done anything in school related to economics, I would create a LinkedIn Profile. Fill in all of the experience you have with econ, any work or volunteer experiences, and some skills you have. I would then become familiar with the Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) to ensure you are familiar with some of the tools that will be used in corporate. Once you do those things, look at people's LinkedIn profiles, ask to connect, and start a conversation about what a career in economics looks like. The more contacts you make, the more likely you will find someone who is willing to mentor you.
Once you find a mentor, set up a recurring meeting with them (most likely over the phone). Come prepared to each meeting with questions you have or topics you want to discuss (Google can help you think of things). Bonus points if you send your questions to your mentor ahead of time.
I hope this helps and best of luck!
Updated
Mayank’s Answer
That's fantastic! It's never too early to start exploring your interests and potential career paths. Here are a few steps you can take to get a head start in the fields of accounting and economics:
1. **Learn About the Fields**: Start by reading books, articles, and watching videos about accounting and economics. This can give you a basic understanding of what these fields involve and help you decide which one interests you more.
2. **Take Relevant Classes**: If your high school offers classes in economics, business, or accounting, consider enrolling in them. This can give you a taste of what studying these subjects at a higher level might be like.
3. **Join Related Clubs**: If your school has clubs related to business, economics, or finance, joining can be a great way to learn more about these fields and meet like-minded peers.
4. **Find a Mentor**: A mentor can provide advice, guidance, and insight into their field. This could be a teacher, a family friend, or someone you find through a mentoring program.
5. **Try Online Courses**: Platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy, and edX offer free courses in accounting and economics. These can be a great way to dive deeper into these subjects.
6. **Internships or Job Shadowing**: Look for opportunities to intern or job shadow at a local business or accounting firm. This can give you real-world experience and a better understanding of what careers in these fields involve.
7. **Competitions**: Participate in academic competitions related to economics or accounting. This can help you learn more about these fields and improve your skills.
8. **Stay Informed**: Keep up with the latest news in economics and finance. This can help you understand the practical applications of these fields and their impact on the world.
Remember, the path to a career in accounting or economics is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time to explore your interests, develop your skills, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning. Good luck!
1. **Learn About the Fields**: Start by reading books, articles, and watching videos about accounting and economics. This can give you a basic understanding of what these fields involve and help you decide which one interests you more.
2. **Take Relevant Classes**: If your high school offers classes in economics, business, or accounting, consider enrolling in them. This can give you a taste of what studying these subjects at a higher level might be like.
3. **Join Related Clubs**: If your school has clubs related to business, economics, or finance, joining can be a great way to learn more about these fields and meet like-minded peers.
4. **Find a Mentor**: A mentor can provide advice, guidance, and insight into their field. This could be a teacher, a family friend, or someone you find through a mentoring program.
5. **Try Online Courses**: Platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy, and edX offer free courses in accounting and economics. These can be a great way to dive deeper into these subjects.
6. **Internships or Job Shadowing**: Look for opportunities to intern or job shadow at a local business or accounting firm. This can give you real-world experience and a better understanding of what careers in these fields involve.
7. **Competitions**: Participate in academic competitions related to economics or accounting. This can help you learn more about these fields and improve your skills.
8. **Stay Informed**: Keep up with the latest news in economics and finance. This can help you understand the practical applications of these fields and their impact on the world.
Remember, the path to a career in accounting or economics is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time to explore your interests, develop your skills, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning. Good luck!
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Hi Steven, I trust you're in good spirits! I wanted to share something super important about shaping your future career in accounting, economics, or related fields. Securing a mentor can be a game-changer.
Firstly, identify the professionals you admire – those whose career paths align with your aspirations. Your educational institution offers valuable resources such as career guidance and faculty members who can link you with seasoned professionals. Moreover, don't hesitate to participate in local gatherings or leverage online networks like LinkedIn for connections. It's akin to befriending individuals who can impart their knowledge to you.
Think about becoming a member of groups that focus on accounting or economics. They frequently offer exciting mentorship opportunities. When conversing with potential mentors, be candid about your objectives. Make it clear that you're genuinely interested in mentorship.
Remember, Steven, you're at the helm, even when it comes to mentors. Be assertive, respect their time, and arrange meetings to glean from their experiences. Having multiple mentors can offer you a variety of viewpoints – quite fascinating, isn't it?
Bear in mind, it's all about steering your own course, but following these steps can significantly enhance your likelihood of securing phenomenal mentors. You can absolutely do this!
Firstly, identify the professionals you admire – those whose career paths align with your aspirations. Your educational institution offers valuable resources such as career guidance and faculty members who can link you with seasoned professionals. Moreover, don't hesitate to participate in local gatherings or leverage online networks like LinkedIn for connections. It's akin to befriending individuals who can impart their knowledge to you.
Think about becoming a member of groups that focus on accounting or economics. They frequently offer exciting mentorship opportunities. When conversing with potential mentors, be candid about your objectives. Make it clear that you're genuinely interested in mentorship.
Remember, Steven, you're at the helm, even when it comes to mentors. Be assertive, respect their time, and arrange meetings to glean from their experiences. Having multiple mentors can offer you a variety of viewpoints – quite fascinating, isn't it?
Bear in mind, it's all about steering your own course, but following these steps can significantly enhance your likelihood of securing phenomenal mentors. You can absolutely do this!