RE: advice on major

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littlewonder -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 12:53:33 PM)
It doesn't take a computer wiz to learn a program. Lots of people learn it every single day. It just takes effort. If your friend can't even learn an accounting program he won't make a very good accountant and I'd be afraid to tell him to change to any kind of career that uses a computer which is pretty much ALL majors. Even an automotive tech these days uses computers to fix cars. Your friend needs to learn to suck it up and learn it. Sure he may not have the money but he's gonna have to save some up then to either buy some books to learn it on his own or hire someone to show him how it works. It is possible. This excuse that "he has no money" is just one more excuse as far as I'm concerned. God I hate to hear excuses.

barelynangel -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 1:08:34 PM)
First of all, YOU shouldn't have been doing HIS research for him regarding his career and his future. Secondly, last i heard teachers are NEEDED. They may not make a hell of a lot of money but they are needed. Sure some counties lay off teachers and he may have to start in some crap ass school. The thing is -- accountants aren't necessarily a concept of being good at math, they need to be good at solving puzzles also, and enjoy doing same. Hell if he was going for math, if you had any sense lol you would have told him to go into engineering -- that is a great career for people with good math skills. He could have gone into economics, he could have gone into vocational engineering i think its called, he could have looked into being an actuary, any career in statistics. Why the hell did he ask you what a good career for math people is? Not to be mean but he should have gone to the career center at his school and spoke to them about his strengths and what he is looking for. Hell if he is going to change again, tell him to take his happy ass to his schools career center and talk to them, hell he can even go to the Dean of the Accounting department and ask him or her what their thoughts are. Sorry DFB but you did this guy a major disservice using the internet to try and pick a career for him when you have no experience with choosing a career much less understand the vast realm of careers that involve utilizing a strong mathematics knowledge. being in school for 3-4 years, he is an idiot for going to you and asking you to help him figure this out. Second, he has a professor yes, if his peers can't help him, there isn't a tutor, i know most professors have hours wherein they allow students to come talk to them and get help if they need it --- so he needs to buck up and tell his professor how lost he is. Also, there are usually upper classmen who are TA's which would also help him. There are a vast number of careers that utilize strong math background -- a lot many people wouldn't believe was based on liking math and having a strong math background, he needs to ask the people who know about same regarding his choices, not you who has no clue. angel

TheFireWithinMe -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 1:12:32 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl quote: ORIGINAL: TheFireWithinMe Geez even when you're upset on someone else's behalf it's someone else is to blame that things aren't the way you thought it should be. Why didn't you guys check thing out before he decided? It's always good to know things like that ahead of time isn't it. Actually, I DO blame myself. When I looked up degree possibilities for people good at math, I thought accounting looked like the best one. Had I looked in the right place, I might have found out accounting required the ability to understand complex computer programs. quote: If being an accountant takes a computer genius and not just basic knowledge of office programs, why isn't that fact more well known? This is what I was responding to, should have been clear, sorry. Now that I'm looking at it again let me add that in most businesses, this is basic office software along with the others most are familiar with. I doubt you are going to find a major that doesn't require learning software - and some of it more complicated than accounting software. My suggestion is that he suck it up and learn it. Isn't a course on it part of the program? I would think there would be since he would be expected to know how to use one.

defiantbadgirl -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 1:26:11 PM)
It appears almost all posters here think giving up a solid degree like accounting over not being able to understand the computer programs is a mistake. I agree. I think he's giving up too easily. I'll try to find out specifically which accounting software program he was having difficulty with because at this point I have no idea. I do know he's well liked at work. Management has expressed interest in him advancing, but he told him he couldn't at this time because of college. Perhaps he should go for getting experience at work as a department manager and only take a couple of accounting classes at a time so he'd have more time to study? Maybe a combination of management experience and a CPA would land him a decent paying job despite his shyness? I don't want to give him the wrong advice.

TheFireWithinMe -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 1:32:07 PM)
Why doesn't he look at finishing school at night and/or online? That's exactly what I did when I was at school to learn to be a medical secretary. It's exhausting but doable. That way he can get the work experience and have something to fall back on.

HeatherMcLeather -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 1:39:46 PM)
Learn the software. I know it can seem intimidating, but it just takes a little effort and experimenting to figure them out. Just tell him to keep Hanners little axiom in mind: "Some very smart people worked very hard to make the program work and be easy to use."* * Of course that's not exactly the way she worded it, hers usually begins "there's a whole fucking cellar-full of unwashed greasy-haired uber geeky little fuckers...", but the meaning is the essentially the same. [;)]

LafayetteLady -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 1:41:53 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl It appears almost all posters here think giving up a solid degree like accounting over not being able to understand the computer programs is a mistake. I agree. I think he's giving up too easily. I'll try to find out specifically which accounting software program he was having difficulty with because at this point I have no idea. I do know he's well liked at work. Management has expressed interest in him advancing, but he told him he couldn't at this time because of college. Perhaps he should go for getting experience at work as a department manager and only take a couple of accounting classes at a time so he'd have more time to study? Maybe a combination of management experience and a CPA would land him a decent paying job despite his shyness? I don't want to give him the wrong advice. Oh for Christ's sake. Is this your freaking husband? He's offered a chance to advance at a job he has been at for a while, he isn't doing well in at least one of his classes in school because he can't pick up the computer program and you honestly think the best way to figure this out for for YOU to give him advice? Tell him to stay the fuck at his job, take the promotion and switch to part time at school. This entire board knows you guys don't have two nickels to rub together, and you are actually wondering if he should take a promotion at work?! You are what? In your thirties? How old is he? Unless he is in his low twenties, it's time for real life. Time to take responsibility both financially and intellectually. Who the hell is the dominant in your relationship anyway?

TheFireWithinMe -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 1:42:31 PM)
quote: * Of course that's not exactly the way she worded it, hers usually begins "there's a whole fucking cellar-full of unwashed greasy-haired uber geeky little fuckers...", but the meaning is the essentially the same. Yeah that sounds a little more like Hanners. [:D]

angelikaJ -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 1:50:01 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl It appears almost all posters here think giving up a solid degree like accounting over not being able to understand the computer programs is a mistake. I agree. I think he's giving up too easily. I'll try to find out specifically which accounting software program he was having difficulty with because at this point I have no idea. I do know he's well liked at work. Management has expressed interest in him advancing, but he told him he couldn't at this time because of college. Perhaps he should go for getting experience at work as a department manager and only take a couple of accounting classes at a time so he'd have more time to study? Maybe a combination of management experience and a CPA would land him a decent paying job despite his shyness? I don't want to give him the wrong advice. A few other options: counseling to overcome his shyness... and also do you think that perhaps he has discovered that he doesn't really like accounting (regardless of the learning new software issue) and just finds it easier to latch onto the software difficulties than admit it? As for the counseling: he is in college, they have free counseling services or have access to free services ...he just has to look into it.

defiantbadgirl -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 2:42:42 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: barelynangel The thing is -- accountants aren't necessarily a concept of being good at math, they need to be good at solving puzzles also, and enjoy doing same. Maybe he has a problem with both software and solving puzzles. Honestly, I have no clue. Hell if he was going for math, if you had any sense lol you would have told him to go into engineering -- that is a great career for people with good math skills. He could have gone into economics, he could have gone into vocational engineering i think its called, he could have looked into being an actuary, any career in statistics. Why the hell did he ask you what a good career for math people is? Not to be mean but he should have gone to the career center at his school and spoke to them about his strengths and what he is looking for. Hell if he is going to change again, tell him to take his happy ass to his schools career center and talk to them, hell he can even go to the Dean of the Accounting department and ask him or her what their thoughts are. Actually, I did think of engineering. He claimed he's not mechanically inclined and has no interest in that. Sorry DFB but you did this guy a major disservice using the internet to try and pick a career for him when you have no experience with choosing a career much less understand the vast realm of careers that involve utilizing a strong mathematics knowledge. being in school for 3-4 years, he is an idiot for going to you and asking you to help him figure this out. I think the advice for him to switch to business administration (which there are too many people with degrees in) and minor in accounting came from an academic adviser. I once told a college adviser I wanted to earn certifications from a trade school in two different areas before getting a bachelor's degree. I thought having three different skill sets would give me an advantage in this tough economy. I was advised against doing that and told I should concentrate on one thing. I couldn't help wondering if that advice was based on my best interests or the school's profits. Second, he has a professor yes, if his peers can't help him, there isn't a tutor, i know most professors have hours wherein they allow students to come talk to them and get help if they need it --- so he needs to buck up and tell his professor how lost he is. Also, there are usually upper classmen who are TA's which would also help him. When he complained he was having problems, I advised him to tell his professor. He didn't want to do that because he thought it would make him look stupid. Joining a study group to get help was his idea. There are a vast number of careers that utilize strong math background -- a lot many people wouldn't believe was based on liking math and having a strong math background, he needs to ask the people who know about same regarding his choices, not you who has no clue. angel I definitely agree that I have no clue about math careers since I'm horrible at math. I wish he wasn't so shy about asking questions.

January -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 2:44:23 PM)
quote: I thought students in study groups all helped each other out for free. My experience has been these groups are for mutual test prep and cramming. If there is one person in the group who is way behind, the group isn't obligated to stop their progress to get him to the starting line. And they won't. But somebody in this thread responded with a great idea. Asking a TA or upper division person to teach your friend the software is worth a try. As far as it costing money to get tutoring, how about barter? He can do yard work or babysit or haul away garbage in exchange for tutoring, for example. Asking a prof isn't always fruitful. Worth a try, but don't feel entitled to massive help. If the student has got some kind of computer program performance anxiety (it sounds like he does), a professor will lose patience. Profs don't want to be counselors; most are also unwilling to baby students. Especially a non-traditional fully adult student. January

angelikaJ -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 2:50:25 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl I wish he wasn't so shy about asking questions. Could his shyness be more of a factor to this than the software issue? Were he to become a CPA he would be interacting with new people all the time. I suggest he find a solution to his shyness by making use of the school's mental health services. Sometimes "shyness" isn't shyness; it's social anxiety disorder. Shyness that gets in the way of functioning is usually that. edit: trim quote/clarity

susie -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 2:52:48 PM)
Just because someone is good at maths does not mean that a career in accounting is a good choice. Accounting software work in exactly the same was as manual bookkeeping records do. All are based on a simple debit/credit basis. Accounting is as much about logic and being able to grasp the basics of the business you are doing the accounting for. I am the Finance Director for 2 companies. One is in the Automotive industry and one in the telecom sector. I need to understand the basics of their business to be able to correctly set up workable systems and to give them the correct accounting and tax advice. Being good at maths just doesn't cut it.

DameBruschetta -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 3:00:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl When he complained he was having problems, I advised him to tell his professor. He didn't want to do that because he thought it would make him look stupid. Joining a study group to get help was his idea. If he hasn't done this this needs to be done ASAP. Going as far as to switch majors without even going this option is so silly! There may be some out there that will not be willing to help, but it is ALWAYS worth a shot. When I have approached professors (even those I was 100% would blow me off) they have always given me some offer to help, in a lot of situations it is a lot more then I ever expected. (I do understand his reluctance to ask for help, and I am no way trying to be little your friend or attack him.) Usually they are very willing to help anyone who asks, or find help for said person. We always tend to assume that asking for help makes us look dumb but really, its the opposite. (If he is embarrassed to go to the actual prof. he could talk to the department secretary, they tend to have a lot of information on options as they are often an intermediary and could get him in touch with a teaching assistant who could help.) I have only been involved in three institutions in three different states across the nation - but in my experience professors will go out of their way to help non-traditional students because they realize that there are extra boundaries there and it takes more effort. He needs to ask. Changing majors and hitting limits on student loans opens up a much MUCH harder road then asking a professor for help is going to be. (Even though I realize convincing him of this may never happen.)

barelynangel -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 3:01:03 PM)
Business Admin is a catch all i believe type of major, the education is not specialized so it gives the person more choices without being locked in a specific career. It sounds like he is just making excuses and you are making excuses for him. He is GOING to look stupid because he won't go to the professor for help. I mean it is really stupid to completely change a major because you are too silly to ask a professor for help. He needs to see this as a learning tool, because there will things he doesn't understand when he gets into the major work force and despite some belief, company's don't always train employees on software. In this instance HE IS PAYING the school to teach him, in a work situation they will be paying him to do a job. Its better for him to learn how to ask for help now, rather than him feeling stupid asking for help in a job and losing same because of his stupidity in not asking. And he needs to stop allowing his shyness to interfere with his future livelihood. If he can work with a study group, he isn't as shy as he thinks he is. has he looked up the software on line to see if there are any discussion boards regarding same, has he checked for the software online to see if they have a step by step manual to help him through things he doesn't understand? If he just isn't interested in accounting that's fine but you said he's been in school for 3-4 years? It's time for him to be a little diligent on his own behalf and look into things before just jumping blindly or having someone else do the work for him. You are doing nothing but enabling him in his lack of standing for himself. IF his work is seriously looking to advance him and he LIKES what he is doing, have him sit down with those people advising him of this possible advancement and ask them where he can go in the company and what can he do, i.e., education wise, to help facilitate this. This can show them he wants to move up but also let them know perhaps a direction he is interested in -- and they may be able to help him make this possible by indicating what the ultimate position he would want to do would require in education and experience. I know shyness can be hard and sometimes debilitating but he needs to take whatever enabled him to reach out to the study group and pull that up to talk to his bosses at work as well as human resources and anyone else they think he should speak to regarding any possibility of a career in his job now. Even if he decides later he isn't interested in doing so with his currect employer, he will have the knowledge. angel

littlewonder -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 3:46:03 PM)
If he's too shy to ask his teacher for help how the hell is he going to be an accountant? Or work in business administration? What is he going to do? Work online with no face to face interaction?? He'll look stupid when he fails his classes because he's too "shy" <aka stubborn> to ask for help from his teachers. I'm seriously thinking he's not cut out for school and he should just stick with the job promotion.

defiantbadgirl -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 4:46:16 PM)
I just talked to him. They were using Peach Tree. The problem was tracking where everything goes in and comes out whatever that means. He said he was good at an accounting class he took in high school and if he had known it changed so much, he never would've chosen that major. He's going for the business administration degree because auditing isn't a required course.

angelikaJ -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 4:51:48 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl I just talked to him. They were using Peach Tree. The problem was tracking where everything goes in and comes out whatever that means. He said he was good at an accounting class he took in high school and if he had known it changed so much, he never would've chosen that major. He's going for the business administration degree because auditing isn't a required course. Has he tried reading Peach Tree for Dummies?

LadyHibiscus -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 5:14:46 PM)
CPA Hib chiming in with a fast reply... AUDITING is a whole other world these days, there is lots of statistics and thinky sampling. The software, it is clunky. Auditing is a small part of accounting, I had to sign off one to get my license, and I choose to avoid them now. Other accounting software is simple enough, once you understand what you want it to do. Accounting is not MATH, as such, it's ARITHMETIC. The skill is in handling the numbers...interpreting, forecasting, presenting. That said, if your friend doesn't have the gumption to freakin LEARN the harder stuff, how will he get the 150 hours for the exam requirement? Suit up or move on. And business? Shoot, might as well get an undergrad in psychology.

LadyHibiscus -> RE: advice on major (12/3/2011 5:16:10 PM)
Peachtree? EVERYONE hates Peachtree!! But I have clients that love it, maybe because they don't understand accounting!

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