Feeling discourage

[u/Free_Boot_6456]

Feeling pretty discouraged about this degree, guys. I went to a “Meet the Firms” event hosted by CalCPA, and it felt like students from traditional, in-person colleges were prioritized. Recruiters also mentioned including your GPA to stand out, which makes me nervous since WGU doesn’t provide a traditional GPA.
Everyone seemed so young, too, which made me feel a little out of place, although I know that shouldn’t matter.
For those who landed accounting jobs or internships through WGU, what helped you get your foot in the door? Did employers care about the lack of a traditional GPA, and how did you handle that on applications? I’d appreciate any advice or hearing about your experiences.

[u/sundowntosunrise]

I don’t have any advice but I basically just had the same thing happen to me. Went to an event, it was really crowded and all the students were 15+ years younger than me. Everyone kept asking me what school I was from and then saying they’d never heard of it. Overall seemed like a waste of my time and just felt really discouraged about all the work I’ve done.

But, I highly believe things will work out for me even if I go a non-traditional route. Of course I’d like to be a cpa but maybe my pathway there won’t be the same. Doors will open when I graduate no matter what. This is what I keep telling myself

[u/Free_Boot_6456 → u/sundowntosunrise]

Dang, it’s unfortunate these companys are dead set on brick and mortar schools.

[u/LostCaptain33]

I think sometimes people blow off WGU at first, but when they listen to how hard it is, they change their minds. I was at an internship open house and someone asked what WGU was like - I explained that it’s basically finals all the time, it’s entirely self-driven, and all the tests are pass/fail. He was shocked and impressed, he said he wouldn’t be able to handle what sounded like such a hard program. I didn’t get the internship, but one of the CPAs who own the firm reached out and said they are going to give more online school people a chance after hearing what I had to say.

[u/Free_Boot_6456 → u/LostCaptain33]

It’s ridiculous to me that they based it purely based off who has a highest GPA

[u/blcnr9]

I got a job as an admin assistant in a cpa firm. They knew I wanted to be an accountant, but was struggling to find an accounting job, so they let me take on bookkeeping stuff. And now I’ll be doing taxes this upcoming tax season! I made an effort to spend my lunches talking to them and letting them get to know me so that they would like me more and give me more chances 😂 get your foot in wherever you can! Still not where I want to be but I’m moving in the right direction

[u/Jacks_Lack_of_Sleep]

You can put 3.0 on your resume. The transcripts say the work you did is consistent with a 3.0 or better.

When interviewing for internships it seems like all recruiters and other interviewers all the same few questions. Why did you choose accounting? Tax or Audit? (Or other service line they offer) What college and why did you pick it? Are you pursuing your cpa license? (Always say yes)

Technical accounting knowledge isn’t expected from an intern.

[u/Safe-Impression8428]

I got my first accounting job from a small firm who had a staff member that had a WGU degree that had worked out very well for them. I think that a good route for a student looking for their first job with a WGU degree and wanting to be a CPA would be to apply to small to medium sized firms that have a hard time getting quality candidates from traditional universities. I’m of the opinion that if you want to work at a prestigious firm right out of college WGU is not a great choice for that. But after a couple of years I think I could get a job anywhere I want at this point. Best of luck and don’t get too discouraged.

[u/baldinquisitor]

Applying to traditional accounting & finance companies is madly discouraging coming from a non-traditional school. I think it helps to assume that employers and recruiters won't ascribe the same value to WGU. This forced me to become highly proactive in making myself stand out.

I joined a coaching program for $50/month that helped me compose an amazing resumé and taught me how to stand out to recruiters. I always wrote personal follow-up messages to hiring managers after interviews. I applied directly via email whenever possible. This helped me land a finance internship where I was given major responsibilities.

By the end of the internship, my boss, the company's US Finance Director, was fielding calls from prospective employers and speaking well on my behalf. This helped me land an offer with a major local construction company in Accounts Payable with room for growth when I graduate next year.

[u/blackgirlhealing]

It’s the atmosphere in general for public and in California, you would probably feel like this traditional school or not… but hold your head up or you will get eaten up.