New Graduate Need advice on what to do

Hello,

I am having quite a dilemma on what to do after I graduate. I live in Toronto and I am graduating from a 4-year specialist program in Accounting this May. I have average grades and some good experience working in a tax firm and as a teaching assistant for the University, marking and teaching basic accounting courses. My dilemma is I do not know what to do after I graduate. I do not like tax. I do not want to end up as a book-keeper at a small firm as I did it for 3 years and I hated it, I found it boring. My GF wants me to got to law school, and I do enjoy law, but I don't think my GPA is high enough to get in. I applied to the big 4 but I got no response. I like to do stock trading but I lost quite a bit of money on a couple bad trades, but I think I can commit myself to learning the stock market. So should I pursue stock trading with my limited capital, try to get into law school, or continue to purse accounting for the CA designation even though I have no training office?
Thanks and any advice would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by BeingBot

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Hello,

I am having quite a dilemma on what to do after I graduate. I live in Toronto and I am graduating from a 4-year specialist program in Accounting this May. I have average grades and some good experience working in a tax firm and as a teaching assistant for the University, marking and teaching basic accounting courses. My dilemma is I do not know what to do after I graduate. I do not like tax. I do not want to end up as a book-keeper at a small firm as I did it for 3 years and I hated it, I found it boring. My GF wants me to got to law school, and I do enjoy law, but I don't think my GPA is high enough to get in. I applied to the big 4 but I got no response. I like to do stock trading but I lost quite a bit of money on a couple bad trades, but I think I can commit myself to learning the stock market. So should I pursue stock trading with my limited capital, try to get into law school, or continue to purse accounting for the CA designation even though I have no training office?
Thanks and any advice would be appreciated.


When you mean stock trading do you mean a career as a stockbroker?

Personally, I think you should get your CA then get into investments if you can't get into law school.

Originally Posted by dragon8

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When you mean stock trading do you mean a career as a stockbroker?

Personally, I think you should get your CA then get into investments if you can't get into law school.

No, I dont think a career as a stock broker but a career as a trader by myself. I am only 22 and I have lots of time to play the market. Bad idea?

I am just worried since I didn't get into big 4 there is no point of pursuing CA. And after I start working will it be hard to go law school later in life?

Originally Posted by BeingBot

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And after I start working will it be hard to go law school later in life?

The law schools won't particularly care about whether you've worked a few years or not. Smarts and work ethic are the main screens for them.

The real problem, if there is one, will be with your family and other obligations.

Originally Posted by Concordia

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The law schools won't particularly care about whether you've worked a few years or not. LSAT and GPA scores are the main screens for them.

The real problem, if there is one, will be with your family and other obligations.

Fixed it for you.

Could try getting your C.A while working at a regional size public firm. You can always make the switch to big 4 if you do good in public, theres usally openings around the senior level.

Originally Posted by BeingBot

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No, I dont think a career as a stock broker but a career as a trader by myself. I am only 22 and I have lots of time to play the market. Bad idea?

I am just worried since I didn't get into big 4 there is no point of pursuing CA. And after I start working will it be hard to go law school later in life?

I think day trading is a bad idea in general. If you're set in playing the market be a stock broker so if that doesn't work out you can always try to move around in the company.

I think geting your CA is more important at this stage.

going to law school either now or later really won't hurt you too much but having a Ca or a career in investments will help you become more marketable.

I would advise against day trading as your only means of income...It is hard to do and chances are you will fail. If I were you I'd work towards my CA, and try to find a job doing accounting. Try for regional firms...and apply to Big 4 once recruiting season comes around.

As for the stock market, if I were you I would do this on the side. There is no reason you should make it a full time gig unless you know what you are doing. Do not trade penny stocks. Trade reputable companies...you can still make alot of money doing this. Don't let the allure of penny stocks get to you. If you don't know about HotStockMarket forums, I'd highly recommend them. www.hotstockmarket.com Great place to learn, with alot of skilled traders.

Thanks guys for all your advice. I believe I am going to try and get my CA and finish what I started. I do not have a job yet but hopefully a small firm will take me. I am planning to write the CKE anyways even if I don't have a job. Maybe having the tests done will make me more marketable.