Change of careers

[Headless Rat]

I just started (September) with one of the Big Four Auditing Firms. I don't really like what I'm doing-not that I hate going in every morning or anything, but I'm just not passionate about it.I love languages, grammar and writing and would love to do something that I am really good at rather than plod away at something that i'm just good at. The thing is that if you opt out of the ICAI, you can never go back so I CANNOT make a rash decision!I did accountancy because it's a well paid career , the prospects are great and it was an achievement to be picked by my company to work for them.What I want to know is, how possible is it to get a really good job with languages or writing coming from a Business and French backgroound (with a 2.1 degree from a reputable university)?

[lady_p_gold]

Well as someone who also loves languages, grammar and writing and who is stuck in a similar type job, I can sympathise. Rather than burn your bridges could you not start writing in your spare time and see how it goes? Either that or just take the plunge and join a newspaper or something, I wish I had done it years ago!

[WendyS]

Yes, I can see your dilemma. Maybe you just have to hang in there until you've completed ICAI so that you have another string to your bow and a fall-back position. But longer term, the thought of being stuck in a career you don't enjoy for the next 40 years is a real waste of your life,even if it's well paid so like lady-p-gold I'd advise you to join a Creative Writing class as soon as your studies permit. You'll probably find it a stimulating activity and will undoubtedly receive some constructive feedback as to your abilities. This will probably fire you up to try some freelance writing which will probably never be as well paid as accountancy, so I guess you have another serious decision to make about future financial priorities and lifestyle. But writing/editing etc in a professional capacity is a very difficult career to break into, which is why some freelance success first might be the best route. Good luck, but don't burn any bridges just yet !

[buildersmate]

Well having worked for one of the Big Four (it was the Big 5 at the time) for 5 years in the middle part of my career, you will have discovered what I discovered. Those at the bottom are reasonably well-paid but do all the grunt work for the Partners at the top who earn the serious money. There's a pyramid structure that constantly needs people in the middle to leave (or be pushed) so that more junior staff can come in at the bottom. People work their socks off in the hope they might make it through to the top. An accounts qualification is something you can hung onto for the rest of your life. I'd stick it out and get the qualification (no mean task in itself because you will probably asked to leave if you fail at any Stage), then leave and do your own thing.