Week 4: Exploring New Avenues – From Accounting to R&D and Product Management

Week 4: Exploring New Avenues – From Accounting to R&D and Product Management

Introduction

In last week's article, I shared the pivotal moments that led me to question whether accounting was truly the right path for me. From excelling in classes like Management Accounting and Financial Accounting Theory to engaging in thought-provoking discussions with mentors and professors, I began to realize that my passion lay beyond the traditional boundaries of accounting. This realization set me on a journey of exploration that would ultimately lead me to fields like Research & Development (R&D) and Product Management.

As I ventured into new areas, one of the key influences was my experience at IBM. This experience, coupled with advice from a senior colleague, solidified my belief that technology and data science were the future of accounting. I had previously shared insights from my IBM experience, detailing how it exposed me to AI-driven solutions and how I realized the importance of adapting to technological advancements.

A senior once told me, “You’re wasting your talent in accounting,” which made me reflect on my path. This reflection became the foundation of my exploration into new avenues that aligned more with my evolving interests.

The Decision to Explore New Avenues

The journey into new career avenues began with my growing interest in how technology could transform traditional fields. As highlighted by colleagues, while many of my peers were cautious about embracing financial technology products, I was already delving into their implications. This curiosity led me to seek out opportunities that would allow me to explore the intersection of technology and business—opportunities that I found during my time at IBM.

In my previous article, I detailed how my IBM experience opened my eyes to the vast possibilities that technology could offer—not just to businesses, but to professionals like myself who were trained in more traditional fields.

The IBM Experience: A Glimpse into the Future

At IBM, I was fortunate to work on AI-based projects that directly addressed the future of accounting and business analytics. The exposure to tools like Watson Discovery and Personality Insights allowed me to see how AI could automate tasks that were once the sole domain of human accountants. But beyond automation, I saw how AI could enhance decision-making by providing insights that were previously difficult or impossible to obtain.

This experience was both exciting and challenging. I remember the moment when my team and I were tasked with presenting our project at the IBM Cloud Summit. The pressure was immense, but it was also an opportunity to showcase how far we had come in integrating AI into our work. This event solidified my belief that accountants of the future would need to embrace technology and evolve into data scientists to stay relevant.

One of my senior at the time remarked on my work ethic and drive, stating that I "have always been, genuinely, steps ahead of my time." This comment reinforced my desire to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new areas.

Learning from Mentors: The Value of Guidance

Throughout this journey, the guidance of mentors played a crucial role in shaping my decisions. Mentors who encouraged me to embrace technological change and explore fields beyond traditional accounting were instrumental in my transition. Similarly, the one-on-one sessions I had with professors at Birmingham Business School, where I studied Social and Environmental Accounting and Principles of Responsible Business, broadened my perspective. They showed me that accounting wasn't just about numbers—it was about understanding the broader impact of business decisions on society and the environment.

These interactions reinforced my belief that accounting needed to evolve, and that I wanted to be at the forefront of that evolution. My experience at Birmingham also reminded me that while technology was crucial, it was equally important to maintain a focus on ethics and responsibility in business practices.

Transitioning to R&D and Product Management

Armed with this new perspective, I decided to transition into fields that combined my analytical skills with creativity and strategy—namely, Research & Development and Product Management. These areas allowed me to explore the intersection of technology, data, and business in a way that traditional accounting did not.

The transition wasn't easy, but it was incredibly rewarding. In R&D, I found the freedom to experiment and innovate, while in Product Management, I was able to apply my strategic thinking to real-world problems. These roles allowed me to leverage the skills I had developed in accounting—such as analytical thinking and attention to detail—while also challenging me to develop new skills in technology and management.

Lessons Learned from the Transition

One of the key lessons I learned during this transition was the importance of adaptability. The business world is changing rapidly, and professionals who are willing to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges will be the ones who thrive. My experience at IBM taught me that technology is not something to be feared—it is something to be embraced.

Another lesson was the value of mentorship. Whether it was my senior's encouragement to explore data science or my professors' insights into responsible business practices, the guidance of others was instrumental in helping me navigate my career shift.

Conclusion

Exploring new career avenues has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. It has allowed me to combine my passion for accounting with my interest in technology and innovation, and it has opened up opportunities that I never would have imagined when I first started my studies.

This article is part of a 10-week series where I explore various aspects of career shifts, sharing stories from my experiences in accounting, R&D, and Product Management, as well as insights into navigating these transitions. I hope that through this series, you’ll find inspiration and practical advice for your own career journey.

Call to Action

If you’re contemplating a career shift or simply looking for some inspiration, follow along with this series. Let’s explore the possibilities together and find fulfillment in the work we do.

Next Week: Week 5 – Embracing Technology: How AI and Data Science Are Shaping the Future of Accounting

Next week, I will dive into how AI and data science are not just reshaping the accounting profession but are also creating new opportunities for those willing to embrace these changes. Stay tuned!