Written By: Dr. Rich Houston, Director of the Culverhouse School of Accountancy
- It feels more like a Friday night than a Thursday night, so I ate a “good number” of Benton’s Animal Crackers before starting this. The word “so” implies cause and effect, but I’m not sure there is any. It’s an enigma.
- This morning, my hair was sticking up when I woke up, but not enough to look like a mad scientist so much as just a bit irritated.
- Some resume and framing advice. A young man told me that he used to think that he “just” worked in his uncle’s restaurant when he was in high school. He sat in silent contemplation for a few seconds and then said that lately he had been asking himself “What am I doing, I mean what am I really doing? Am I making someone or something better? What am I accomplishing? How do other people view what I’m doing?” Asking these questions helped him realize that he wasn’t “just working.” Rather, as a teenager, he helped his uncle start a successful business by supervising the kitchen, managing inventory, performing customer service, and helping manage the front. Modifying the framing helped him grasp the magnitude of his accomplishments. Later, I helped another young man with his resume. I told him the story I just told you and suggested that he think about his experiences as the other young man did. He quickly started seeing the important skills he has gained and contributions he has made, and his current assignment is to rewrite his bullet points to highlight these accomplishments. I suggest you do the same. Somewhat relatedly, someone asked me this thought-provoking question: “What did you gain from every place you’ve lived?” Also somewhat relatedly, consider how you can make a difference for those who view you as an example or role model.
- ?I always enjoy the last class before Thanksgiving break because it’s so conducive to doing something different. While many have flown the coop early, those in attendance appear relaxed, content, and reflective, mixed with a dash of good-natured energy. In the 8 am class, someone suggested that we attempt the New York Times crossword puzzle, so we did. We finished it, which is not an easy thing to do, by taking advantage of everyone’s knowledge, ability to provide correct answers, willingness to point out and fix incorrect answers, and talent for recognizing puns and double meanings. I said that it illustrated the wisdom of crowds and the value of being part of a group consisting of a varied cast of characters that works together and welcomes everyone’s contributions. As an aside, I decided that the wisdom of clods means not walking too close to the leg of that coffee table.
The Student Section. My students provided advice for younger accounting majors and here are some excerpts:
- When I started my accounting classes I had to adjust to people understanding concepts quicker and better than I did. Being an accounting major means being motivated by the fact that there is always going to be someone in the room who’s smarter than you, and that that’s OK. I suggest making friends with those people because they will push you to be a better student and eventually a better employee. The willingness and ability to form new relationships is just as important as the actual schoolwork.
- There is a strong sense of pride and comradery among students and teachers in the accounting department, and this community is ready to welcome you. I never realized how important community was until I entered the accounting program, realized how much our teachers are there for us, and made so many friends who support each other.
- You will not feel more prepared, cheered-for, cared-for, or have such a true sense of belonging in any other major. The professors want you to succeed and they hand you success on a silver platter. While it does require a lot of hard work and self-discipline, it is so worth it. I look back on junior and senior year when many of my smart and hardworking friends in other majors were struggling to find jobs after college. At that time, I pretty much had my job secured for well over a year, which is a really cool thing. But, even so, I would put job security at the bottom of the list of why I chose to stay. It really is the people and the culture in this major that combine to make you a better student, a better person, more equipped to enter the professional world, and to be your best self.
- If you are behind, approach your professor, teaching assistant, or tutor and say something like, "I've been having difficulty keeping up with the material and would appreciate any guidance on how I can better understand the concepts." Be specific about which topics or assignments are challenging you. Attempting the work before asking questions shows that you're engaged and have already tried to identify where the issues lie and helps them provide the best advice. It's also a good idea to suggest possible solutions, like meeting during office hours or scheduling a study session, which demonstrates that you’re committed to improving and taking responsibility for your learning. At first, I was scared to follow this advice, but I found that professors appreciate your honesty and initiative and are always willing to help you get back on track.
- Take your studies seriously and don’t cut corners when learning the basics. The more you actually learn what you are doing and why you are doing it, the better off you will be in the long term.
- Start building connections early by networking with students, professors, and recruiters, and by joining accounting clubs and organizations.?
- It's common to get a bad grade on a test and think that you will never pass the class or that you’re not cut out for accounting. However, don’t freak out. A bad test grade doesn't mean you can't come out of the class with an A or B; I know because I've done it. It doesn't mean that you won't graduate with honors; I know because I have. It doesn't mean that it will keep you from getting into the MAcc or MTA program, because I'm here.
- Accounting at first can seem to be just a lot of numbers and rules. But once you get into it, you’ll see that it isn’t just about sitting at a desk crunching numbers— it relates directly to real-world business decisions and builds skills including problem-solving, critical thinking, working with people, interpreting and communicating complex financial information, and project management.
- Don’t just focus on grades, work on yourself too. Learn to bounce back from mistakes and take your time figuring things out. You might feel pressure to have a solid career plan or hit certain milestones right away, but it’s fine to go at your own pace. Just keep improving and stay open to learning. Remember why you picked accounting in the first place. Whether it’s because you like problem-solving, career stability, or the chance to make an impact, hold onto that when things get tough. How far you go depends on your attitude and how much effort you’re willing to put in.
In conclusion, the abrupt change in weather has caused some sartorial quandaries. Have a great week.
