Login

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

March 28, 2024, 08:03:21 pm

Author Topic: Deciding on a major  (Read 3301 times)  Share 

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

vashappenin

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 905
  • Respect: +31
  • School Grad Year: 2013
Deciding on a major
« on: March 03, 2015, 09:07:48 pm »
0
Hi guys

I'm currently really undecided about what major to pursue for commerce, so I've been having a look through the different units offered for the different majors. And, of course, I'm stuck and I have some questions that perhaps existing and past commerce students can help answer. I've got questions for different majors that I don't know much about so I'll categorize them into the different areas. So far I'm still focusing on getting the core units done.

Accounting:
- Okay, this is the major I know the most about. I've heard that you don't need really high marks to land a job but I don't know how true this is, can someone confirm?
- One of my tutors was saying that there's a huge and challenging process you need to go through in order to get a job which kind of scares me a little. What is the exact process?
- Although it seems a little interesting, there are also aspects of accounting that seem really difficult and boring, and that will get more and more difficult as the units progress. What is the workload like? I'll be balancing it alongside law units so I don't want to struggle too much.
- Is it vital to do the recommended 'extra' units in order to qualify for CA/CPA or are there other opportunities to cover those topics at a later stage? i.e. after graduating?

Economics:
- Some of the subjects seem reaaallly interesting but I've heard that the maths gets quite difficult in later years, which I don't think I would be able to cope with.However, I've also heard that the maths can be avoided with certain units - is that true?
- Units that interest me include: ECC3670, ECC2600, ECC2700 and ECC2800. Has anyone done any of these units that can comment on their difficulty/ease?

Finance:
- I hardly know anything about this major.. Some say it's really easy if you pick the right units but others say it's pretty hard. Can someone please help?
- What sort of job opportunities can it lead to?

International commerce:
- What even is this major and what sorts of opportunities can it lead to after graduating? It seems to be a mix of all the majors in one.

Management Studies:
- This major seems quite interesting as it's very people-focused (specifically HRM), but apparently it's a 'useless major'. Why is that so?
- What sort of job opportunities can it lead to? I can see it relating somewhat to employment law if I wanted to be an employment lawyer but any other opportunities?

Sustainability:
- The units in this major seem really interesting as well. Is it a difficult major or does it also class as a 'useless major'?
- Again, what opportunities can it lead to?

Sorry if some of these questions are stupid! I just need some direction at the moment and I want to look into all areas before sticking to one concrete major.

Thanks guys :)
« Last Edit: March 03, 2015, 09:20:30 pm by vashappenin »
2013: English, Maths Methods, Further Maths, Legal Studies, HHD, Psychology
2014-present: Bachelor of Laws @ Monash University

Tutoring VCE English, Psych, Legal Studies and HHD in 2016! Tutoring via Skype too. PM me if you're interested :)

Fyrefly

  • ★☆★ 一期一会 ★☆★
  • Honorary Moderator
  • ATAR Notes Legend
  • *******
  • Posts: 4495
  • Respect: +307
Re: Deciding on a major
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2015, 10:52:54 pm »
+1
Accounting:

- Okay, this is the major I know the most about. I've heard that you don't need really high marks to land a job but I don't know how true this is, can someone confirm?

Varies from company to company, but I'm going to say a tentative threshold in the range of 70 to 75 applies as a cut off when selecting applicants for interview. Companies won't ever straight-out tell you this though, so it's hard to know for certain.

- One of my tutors was saying that there's a huge and challenging process you need to go through in order to get a job which kind of scares me a little. What is the exact process?

Big4 are very competitive. Most companies have multiple stages in their recruitment process. Scenarios and interviews and aptitude testing and accounting pop quizzes. Exact process varies from company to company. Expect multiple interview stages as a minimum.

- Although it seems a little interesting, there are also aspects of accounting that seem really difficult and boring, and that will get more and more difficult as the units progress. What is the workload like? I'll be balancing it alongside law units so I don't want to struggle too much.

I hate tax accounting. I barely have the patience to do my own taxes each year. So I'm not a tax accountant. Simple as that. Accounting isn't just accounting; there's all sorts of jobs and specialisations that fit under that umbrella title. I found the workload okay. Definitely easier than law units, according to all my BComm/LLB friends.

- Is it vital to do the recommended 'extra' units in order to qualify for CA/CPA or are there other opportunities to cover those topics at a later stage? i.e. after graduating?

Do the extra units while you're still at uni. There are ways around it, but you'd be pushing shit uphill big time.


Source: Am accountant.
Edit: Fail at formatting.
« Last Edit: March 03, 2015, 10:57:14 pm by Fyrefly »
|| BComm + DipLang (Jap) @ Monash ||

vashappenin

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 905
  • Respect: +31
  • School Grad Year: 2013
Re: Deciding on a major
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2015, 11:42:40 pm »
0
Accounting:

- Okay, this is the major I know the most about. I've heard that you don't need really high marks to land a job but I don't know how true this is, can someone confirm?

Varies from company to company, but I'm going to say a tentative threshold in the range of 70 to 75 applies as a cut off when selecting applicants for interview. Companies won't ever straight-out tell you this though, so it's hard to know for certain.

- One of my tutors was saying that there's a huge and challenging process you need to go through in order to get a job which kind of scares me a little. What is the exact process?

Big4 are very competitive. Most companies have multiple stages in their recruitment process. Scenarios and interviews and aptitude testing and accounting pop quizzes. Exact process varies from company to company. Expect multiple interview stages as a minimum.

- Although it seems a little interesting, there are also aspects of accounting that seem really difficult and boring, and that will get more and more difficult as the units progress. What is the workload like? I'll be balancing it alongside law units so I don't want to struggle too much.

I hate tax accounting. I barely have the patience to do my own taxes each year. So I'm not a tax accountant. Simple as that. Accounting isn't just accounting; there's all sorts of jobs and specialisations that fit under that umbrella title. I found the workload okay. Definitely easier than law units, according to all my BComm/LLB friends.

- Is it vital to do the recommended 'extra' units in order to qualify for CA/CPA or are there other opportunities to cover those topics at a later stage? i.e. after graduating?

Do the extra units while you're still at uni. There are ways around it, but you'd be pushing shit uphill big time.


Source: Am accountant.
Edit: Fail at formatting.
Thanks! Does the info about cut offs and the interviewing stages apply only to big 4 or other smaller firms as well? I'm more interested in smaller forms than wormjng for a big 4. Should've mentioned that, sorry.

Also, is it vital to do some sort of experience relating to accounting before graduating? E.g. internships, work experience, etc.
2013: English, Maths Methods, Further Maths, Legal Studies, HHD, Psychology
2014-present: Bachelor of Laws @ Monash University

Tutoring VCE English, Psych, Legal Studies and HHD in 2016! Tutoring via Skype too. PM me if you're interested :)

sluu001

  • Victorian
  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 456
  • Respect: +28
  • School: University of Melbourne
Re: Deciding on a major
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2015, 01:49:53 am »
0
Don't fall into the trap in thinking that you need higher grades in order to get into the big4 auditing. This is simply not true. In fact. the "Grade" hurdle for a big4 will be usually lower than that of a big Mid-tier or a government Audit Office.

The reason for this is because Auditing at a grad/junior level is not very cognitive based. You spend most of your time matching invoices to accounting records and counting inventory. Such tasks is very time consuming and can result in 12-14 work hour days during busy periods. As such, Audit Officer are not necessarily looking for the person with the highest grade; but rather the person with:
1. The most resilience, drive and ambition to plough through those periods without quitting.
2. Team work and planning skills to be able to prioritise tasks and get them done against short deadlines
3. A socially engaging persona (so that your team members will want to be stuck with you for 12 hours a day; and for when you move up to Manager Level and start having to speak to clients)

The Big4s have a lower threshold in regards to your grades because they have the resources and can afford to train the right person up to an appropriate standard. Mid-Tiers do not have as big a resource pool; and so will value candidates with higher grades (less technical training required). Government Audit Offices have to be accountable to the public; and so will also put a higher value on grades (in order to justify the hiring of the grad).

However, make no mistake; grades are probably the least important part of your application when it comes to Auditing (in any of these 3 main Audit employers). It is merely a 1st round hurdle used to cull applicants. Once you past this 1st stage, your grades have minimal effect on the rest of your application (regardless of whether you had a 65 average or an 85 average).

You are right about one thing though. The application process is now insanely tedious and difficult. Asides from your Grades and ECs, you will usually have to undertake an online aptitude test, a written response to key selection criterias, group activities at Assessment Centres and 2 rounds of interviews. This process applies not just to Big4; but also both Mid-Tiers and Gov't Sector. (Source: I currently work in the Govt Sector as an Auditor - and had offers from Big4 and Mid-Tiers).
« Last Edit: March 04, 2015, 01:51:43 am by sluu001 »

vashappenin

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 905
  • Respect: +31
  • School Grad Year: 2013
Re: Deciding on a major
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2015, 09:01:23 am »
0
Don't fall into the trap in thinking that you need higher grades in order to get into the big4 auditing. This is simply not true. In fact. the "Grade" hurdle for a big4 will be usually lower than that of a big Mid-tier or a government Audit Office.

The reason for this is because Auditing at a grad/junior level is not very cognitive based. You spend most of your time matching invoices to accounting records and counting inventory. Such tasks is very time consuming and can result in 12-14 work hour days during busy periods. As such, Audit Officer are not necessarily looking for the person with the highest grade; but rather the person with:
1. The most resilience, drive and ambition to plough through those periods without quitting.
2. Team work and planning skills to be able to prioritise tasks and get them done against short deadlines
3. A socially engaging persona (so that your team members will want to be stuck with you for 12 hours a day; and for when you move up to Manager Level and start having to speak to clients)

The Big4s have a lower threshold in regards to your grades because they have the resources and can afford to train the right person up to an appropriate standard. Mid-Tiers do not have as big a resource pool; and so will value candidates with higher grades (less technical training required). Government Audit Offices have to be accountable to the public; and so will also put a higher value on grades (in order to justify the hiring of the grad).

However, make no mistake; grades are probably the least important part of your application when it comes to Auditing (in any of these 3 main Audit employers). It is merely a 1st round hurdle used to cull applicants. Once you past this 1st stage, your grades have minimal effect on the rest of your application (regardless of whether you had a 65 average or an 85 average).

You are right about one thing though. The application process is now insanely tedious and difficult. Asides from your Grades and ECs, you will usually have to undertake an online aptitude test, a written response to key selection criterias, group activities at Assessment Centres and 2 rounds of interviews. This process applies not just to Big4; but also both Mid-Tiers and Gov't Sector. (Source: I currently work in the Govt Sector as an Auditor - and had offers from Big4 and Mid-Tiers).
Thanks for this! Sorry to be daft but what exactly is auditing?
2013: English, Maths Methods, Further Maths, Legal Studies, HHD, Psychology
2014-present: Bachelor of Laws @ Monash University

Tutoring VCE English, Psych, Legal Studies and HHD in 2016! Tutoring via Skype too. PM me if you're interested :)