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Devin is a recent graduate starting work in public accounting this July. He enjoys burritos, skiing, talking in the third person, and long walks on the beach. Visit Devin's personal website at 
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Today’s post is by Devin Reams. We met Devin after he left some great comments on our site. Devin is a college senior. In his post, he discusses his decision to go corporate rather than diving straight into entrepreneurship. Enjoy.
I sometimes suffer from an identity crisis. Am I an entrepreneur? Do I want to be my own boss? Would I like to climb the ranks? Can I grab for power and get what I want in life? The decision I’ve made right now, coming out of college, is my attempt to answer those questions.
Last October, over a half-year ago, I saw job postings for all the public accounting firms. I shrugged it off “knowing” these jobs were for the December graduates. Haha. Apparently not. I panicked. “It’s time to job search already?!” I had already missed deadlines. So, I scrambled, contacted professors, talked to the companies and within a week landed a job. Phew. I felt relieved. I had taken care of my future. It was November and I wouldn’t even start until the following July.
But why did I feel the need to grab onto a job so quickly and so easily?
Cubicle Hell?
I went with one of the Big Four because I’ve already seen the corporate world and want to see more. I’ve been interning at a large telecommunications company for a year now. I’ve seen what the cubicle world is like and I don’t always enjoy it. But, I’m glad I’ve been there and experienced it. I’ve learned what I do and do not like, I’ve learned about people, communicating, working with others, office politics, and so on. I liken it to a romantic relationship: my first girlfriend taught me a lot about myself, but I’m sure there’s something better out there.
Learning is Key
In the last few years I’ve become interested in accounting (and always interested in technology). All the firms have groups that are a bit smaller, more specialized and end up working less hours with more pay. I figure, out of college this is the perfect job for me! I want to see new companies, new industries, different people and of course, learn a lot about what I already enjoy.
But, once I stop learning, the job is no fun. The firm is no longer doing for me what I, as a millennial, demand. Out of college my motivation to learn is intrinsic. If I’m no longer motivated and my needs are no longer fulfilled there’s no reason to stay put. Right? Therefore, I picked a career in public accounting because I want to learn. I’ve talked to the companies, I’ve heard from employees: I know I’ll learn.
Creating Opportunities
I see myself doing one of two things in life: becoming an executive somewhere or starting something successful on my own. Do I have lofty goals? Sure. Do I know how, when, or where I will achieve them? Hardly. But I know new opportunities can come with this job.
Additionally, since I have no ideas and little experience I’d rather go to work, learn on someone elses’ dime and see where it leads me. I have time, right? I will either come up with something on my own or continue to learn, do well, and fit into a position which I enjoy. It’s win-win because if I don’t I can simply move on to a new opportunity.
With all that said, I’m only 20. I’m young, I have time to make decisions. I’m far from my quarterlife crisis. I’m ready to go get my feet wet and see what this Employee Evolution is all about…
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Leave your thoughts here. (6 responses)
- 1 Pingback on Jan 8th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I like the idea of doing things on other people’s dime. Good call.
Devin:
Just keep doing what you’re doing and don’t get too anxious to take on the world. Just stay as engaged as you seem to be and it’ll all naturally fall into place. Whether it’s through the corporate world or you own business ventures, you’ll make your mark.
Thanks for the kind words, Tyson.
I’ll be interested to see where you max out your learning curve in Public… For me, it was 2 years, and I went into the whole experience with a mindset similar to yours.
Take the ride for all it’s worth, but don’t get stuck in the quagmire. Good luck.
I loved reading this. I am 22 and in the same situation. I am glad to know that I am not the only one who went over-eager and took the first decent job that presented itself. This is a great experience, but no where near what I want to spend my life doing.