Post: #26

Did your girlfriend actually get her skull cracked? What's that story?

Post: #27

Get your education done while you are young. It is easier than doing it when you're older.

Post: #28

I'm going to give you some more concrete advice. Accountancy background, you will know how to use this.

Check your school's department website. There is usually a tab on there somewhere called "your career" or something along those lines. Go there and look for a link to download the full version of the business school's employment report. It will most likely have placement stats for each specialty including accountancy. If not then go to your career services center in person and request that information.

Now keep in mind that the information is averaged. If "academic progress" means your classes are spread out then no big deal. If it's because you were lazy and your GPA sucks ass then you are probably going to be on the low end of the salary ranges listed.

Use that information to do your own CBA for taking out loans and finishing the degree.

Post: #29

(01-13-2015 04:14 PM)zoom Wrote:  I would cut your losses and drop out.

I was an accounting major myself. I completed my degree even though I knew I didn't like accounting. After I graduated it was tough to get a job. If you want a good job in accounting then you need a CPA, which requires a ton of commitment.

A CPA does not require a 'ton of commitment'. It requires a normal professional level of commitment, the same as any other regulated profession.

It takes more commitment and self discipline to pay off debt, work out, eat healthy, not pedestalize girls and make intelligent choices with your money.

Also, if you are still working on your CPA, and have an accounting degree with at least one tax accounting course somewhere like HR block will love all over you and at least keep you alive if you need a job.

My advice, now is not the time to quit. Too many sunk costs already. Quitting in semester 1 or 2 sure, but quitting now you'd have student debt and no degree, might as well have student debt and a degree.

Post: #30

(01-14-2015 03:00 AM)RioNomad Wrote:  Did your girlfriend actually get her skull cracked? What's that story?

Oh yea.

We were walking from my apartment in Suttisan to the main street(rachadaphisek) to grab a taxi to the airport to go to Chiang Mai for the long weekend. It was 5:00AM and I was stupid and decided to walk rather than just call a taxi to the apartment.

We were walking up this small soi not too far from the main street and a motorbike was trying to get around us so she started walking behind me to let them pass. Next thing I know she's flying in front of me and the motorbike is speeding around the corner.

They had grabbed her bag, which was on her right hip with the strap over her left shoulder, so that when they sped off it caught her neck and pulled her head first into the pavement. She was out cold for a while, I called the cops and of course the Thai Police offered a quick and efficient solution got lost on the way over and I had to guide them over the phone.

Her phone, camera, and some cash were in there. And I had thrown my phone and passport in there before we left. We never got anything back, and the police never caught them despite the fact there was a camera from a nearby condo pointing directly at us. I went to the condo to ask for the tape and they told me to come back with the police. So I came back with the police and they told us they had deleted it.

I did my own investigating into it and apparently it's happened about a dozen times in the area around MRT Suttisan.

She was in the hospital about a week, it was a linear skull fracture. Luckily she had plenty of money to pay for everything, she even bought me a new phone.

Post: #31

(01-14-2015 07:02 AM)Dr. Howard Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 04:14 PM)zoom Wrote:  I would cut your losses and drop out.

I was an accounting major myself. I completed my degree even though I knew I didn't like accounting. After I graduated it was tough to get a job. If you want a good job in accounting then you need a CPA, which requires a ton of commitment.

A CPA does not require a 'ton of commitment'. It requires a normal professional level of commitment, the same as any other regulated profession.

It takes more commitment and self discipline to pay off debt, work out, eat healthy, not pedestalize girls and make intelligent choices with your money.

Also, if you are still working on your CPA, and have an accounting degree with at least one tax accounting course somewhere like HR block will love all over you and at least keep you alive if you need a job.

My advice, now is not the time to quit. Too many sunk costs already. Quitting in semester 1 or 2 sure, but quitting now you'd have student debt and no degree, might as well have student debt and a degree.

I probably should have been a little more specific. Getting your CPA requires a ton of commitment. You need all the school credits to qualify, and you have to spend a lot of time studying for the test. The test itself is known to be extremely tough.

Post: #32

Exactly. That's why a CPA certification is valuable.......same as why the CFA certification is valuable for those of us on the institutional side of the finance industry.

Post: #33

(01-13-2015 10:07 PM)The Lizard of Oz Wrote:  1. Go to the Financial Aid office and beg/plead/beseech them to give you another chance to make "adequate academic progress". Tell them you've had personal issues, depression, anxiety, whatever, that prevented you from taking the classes you needed to be taking.

2. If they can't give you the deal you had before, ask them about other possibilities/resources/"any way at all they can help you". Say that you are committed to getting this degree, you've straightened out all your problems and can they please work with you to find the resources. There are many grants and government/state funds out there... but some counselor has to think of it and say, "oh yeah, I guess we can do XYZ...". Get them to work with you by emphasizing that you had a hard time but are now bound and determined to do the work you need to to do.

3. Once you get some kind of a deal, get off your ass and actually take the classes you need to take to make "adequate academic progress" and get your f'ing degree.

bingo

+1

Post: #34

iop, just remember that you will be the one that has to repay that 60k.

If you can get the rest of your semesters for free it's a no brainer. Paying 60k just so you can go and teach English in other countries is crazy talk.

Post: #35

It's been a busy couple of days, but it looks like I've got this semester covered at least, with no loans needed.

I've also got a pretty good full time job lined up for the summer, I can do that to build up some cash while mooching off my parents for 3 months and taking community college courses to cover the few basic classes I have left for cheap.

I also found a program that could possibly cut next Fall's tuition in half, so I should be able to cover the rest with savings and what I get from working.

Not sure what I'll do for the last semester next fall. That will be good motivation to get some writing done.

Post: #36

In order to even sit for the CPA exam, almost all states require a minimum number of accounting credit hours that exceeds what you get with an accounting Bachelor's degree (150 hour rule). This basically forces you to get a Master's in accounting if you want to be a CPA. Then, you actually have to pass the CPA exam, which is no joke. It's a four part exam covering a shitload of material taken over two days. Basically, if you think you're just going to sleepwalk your way through an accounting undergrad and end up with a rather effortless CPA and a fat paycheck, think again. More likely you will end up doing taxes at H&R Block or getting paid 25-30k as a bookkeeper for some small business.

What I'm trying to say is that a half finished accounting degree is practically the same as an actual accounting degree, unless you also get the accounting Masters and the CPA. An accounting undergrad really won't qualify you for anything besides being able to check the degree box on applications. You'd literally be competing for "accounting" jobs with people who have taken a week-long bookkeeping course or have an H&R Block certification, because they will be as qualified as you on the practical level. So unless you are really serious about becoming a CPA, cut your losses with the accounting degree now and go do something else.

Post: #37

iop, I'm glad you posted this.

From my experience, it took me some time outside of college working to understand what I wanted.

I am starting to believe we are doing our younger generations more and more disservice by telling them to go to school, get a education and then find a job.

With huge amounts of debt being taken on, this is becoming some of the worst advice imaginable.

How the hell would anyone know what type of career they want if all they have known is studying in high school and then uni. It took me working two jobs and time to fully understand what my strengths and weaknesses were.

I was going for an art degree before I took 2 years off of school. This was some time ago when prices weren't as bad (can't believe 60k for a 4 year degree). I was pushed into finishing up that degree because "Education is important" and "It's harder to go back if you quite now" mentality that we hear all the time.

If I had followed their advice I shutter to think where I would be now.

Instead, I took off 2 or so years and worked 2 jobs morning through night. I became aware rather quickly that I needed a career. Not a piece of paper so I can say I am educamated.

I went back and finished my art degree (I was close to finishing anyway) but also added a second degree in IT. That IT degree helped me travel the world and set me up to run my own business with those experiences.

I was just too inexperienced when I first entered University and luckily for me I had taken time off to get some real world experience. Doing a degree for the sake of a degree is a waste of time these days and has been for a long time.

Post: #38

OP has ZERO passion for accounting.

Accounting degree as stated is near useless without drive and a CPA even then you are only making $45-60k out the gates depending on what city you live in usually.

You can make more money bartending. No idea what you are trying to accomplish especially if you want to live abroad.

I would cut your losses.

I personally think any degree is trash unless:

1) you have the drive to do it for decades
2) it has a wage earning power that far exceeds a high end venue bartender (which is much easier to accomplish)

Post: #39

(01-14-2015 03:51 PM)Travesty444 Wrote:  You can make more money bartending. No idea what you are trying to accomplish especially if you want to live abroad.

iop wants to teach English and a degree, any 4 year degree, will help him to do so which is why he wants to finish.

For those reasons, he should finish as long as he doesn't add anymore to his debt.

The nice thing about having your back against the wall, you learn how to hustle and get shit done. Sounds like iop is doing just that.

Post: #40

(01-14-2015 03:51 PM)Travesty444 Wrote:  OP has ZERO passion for accounting.

Accounting degree as stated is near useless without drive and a CPA even then you are only making $45-60k out the gates depending on what city you live in usually.

You can make more money bartending. No idea what you are trying to accomplish especially if you want to live abroad.

I would cut your losses.

I personally think any degree is trash unless:

1) you have the drive to do it for decades
2) it has a wage earning power that far exceeds a high end venue bartender (which is much easier to accomplish)

This is a good point that I overlooked. If you despise accounting don't finish the degree and cut your losses.

I have a bias to the subject. I love numbers and working in my business, it feels like I'm playing a game every day yet I see the torture on my customer's faces when they come in with problems so I know I've just got an odd affinity for it.

Finish the degree if you like it and want to bear down and get your CPA cert and if you actually LIKE the work. If you don't, bail now, write off $35k as a life lesson and get started on something you actually enjoy.

Post: #41

A degree in itself still has value in society. Plenty of white collar jobs (and teaching English abroad) require four year degrees.

Post: #42

If you want to teach English abroad get a real teaching degree. I have friends that make 100,000-140,000 baht per month teaching, but they are real teachers.

Sucks about your gf. I know two people who it has happened to as well. I always walk with my gym bag but I'm sure they only target girls. I'd love to drag one off his stupid scooter and give him a beating.

Post: #43

Because you are 1.5yrs off I say forget the degree.

I was 6months off my commerce degree and didnt want to finish it. My mate was going to hook me up with a sweet driving trucks gig in the mines where I would be able to travel every month for 12 days and clear 4k after tax a fortnight.

My mum and sister talked me into finishing the degree even though I didnt plan on ever using it. I graduated and still wanted the mining gig. The mine closed down a week later and I lost my easy opening into the mining industry.

Do whatever feels right and take peoples advice with a grain of salt.

Plus UNLESS you will commit at least 5 years to accounting really think about what you are doing.