| Topic Name: |
MBA Dilemma for "Experienced" Professionals |
| Message Name: |
Different situation, same dilemma |
| Date Posted: |
06/17/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
Your views and comments have been very helpful. Once again, many thanks. |
| Message: |
Hey, yerevan-your CPA friend was right. I'm 26, and my learning curve has already plateaued.
I work in the Federal tax consulting practice of a Big 5 firm. Out of school five years, BS, accounting, lower tier NE private college, but w/ a Summa Cum Laude (#1), and a minor in creative writing. Oh, and CPA. No MST or MACC because of lack of interest in both.
I started my career with a regional CPA firm, where I spent roughly two and one half years auditing. In 1998, I left to join the state tax consulting practice of Arthur Andersen. Because of my experience and CPA, I entered as a senior, and was given a lot of responsibility, including running six to seven month tax compliance engagements for one of the world's top 5 largest corporations.
At the end of last Summer, I received a raise that I did not feel was commensurate with the level of effort and sacrifice (the job cost me a car) that I'd contributed over the prior two years. So I left for a competitor's practice, and a 40% raise-without a promotion to manager!
Originally, I had wanted to play out the string at AA until I entered grad school in the fall of '02. But their shenanigans made it virtually impossible to stick around and maintain any shred of self-respect.
Eight or so months into my new job, however, I realize that I made a titanic error. My new practice is a horribly stifling environment, the people for the most part are unfriendly, and the client base in a word SUCKS. Plus, we've lost a lot of clients w/ the dot-com crap, and my chargeability is in the toilet. Is the axe coming? Probably not. But that is the least of my concerns.
I figured that the jump to Fed might be a bit more intellectually stimulating-research opportunities, etc..- but have quickly learned that I was manifestly incorrect.
I've been in contact with several managers and senior managers at AA, and they have agreed to sign off on my letters of recommendation. I even have the blessing of a regional managing partner.
They also want me back, which presents an awkward situation b/c I have to tell them that I will (knock on wood) never work for another accounting firm as long as I live.
Which leaves only the GMAT, a roadblock that can be solved with a review course. I don't believe that 680-720 should be too much of a stretch. UCLA, here I come.
So my question is this:
Considering that I'll have the AA name behind my applications, could I get away with quitting my current job and taking a position with different responsibilities (i.e., sales) for the year between now and July/August of 2002? Would the admissions committees look unfavorably upon my choice?
I'm around 70K per year, but the job sucks so much that I'd gladly take a pay cut just to do something different (if only for a year) while I get my future on track.
Incidentally, that future will hopefully consist of working at a movie production company (Columbia Pictures, Paramount) or possibly Infinity broadcasting.
I've kind of figured out that consulting and Ibanking firms are like accounting firms on steroids, and I want no more of that environment, EVER.
|
|
