Trying to get a Government Job

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Dirtbag, consider going for some entry level finance jobs. I work in Financial Planning & Analysis for a healthcare provider, and when I look for entry level candidates for our department, one of the first things I look for is an affinity for the quantitative and database experience.

If you can demonstrate that you're bright (high GPA in college, went to a good college), are decent with math, and have some experience with MS Access, then you fit the bill pretty well.

You've got accounting as an undergrad major and experience with MS Access. If I had a position open I'd take a look at you. My counterparts at healthcare providers all over the place would probably do the same. Or in other industries.

You'd basically come in, work with data for a couple of years (either maintaining databases, crunching numbers, compiling reports, etc.). Try to learn the business, and work your way up. Starting salary is typically in the $45K range for an entry level person, sometimes a little more depending on cost of living in the area.

But biggest piece of advice when interviewing in the finance/accounting world, talk up your math skills, your ability to think logically, and ability to manipulate data in excel and access.

Just one idea to consider.

I'm flattered that you presume I have a good GPA. Unfortunately thanks to me failing behind in my Accounting classes my GPA took a Mike Tyson like left hook to the face. I am decent with math (Got an A in Survey of Calculus, and a B in College Algebra, no idea how that happened to be honest with the Calculus grade being higher).

Thanks though for the suggestion with a title. Part of my problem in finding a job has been finding the actual titles of jobs I would qualify for. When I was looking at Sales jobs it was pretty easy but to be honest I don't really want to go into sales.

Anyway just to give everyone an idea of what I did in college heres a list of my most notable business courses with my grade. Keep in mind theres a lot of courses in between that I got D's and F's(income tax, accounting information systems, money & banking to name a few) especially back in 2007 when I got pretty sick. I've since been cured but it was hard to keep up in classes at that point in time. Plus at the start of college I was a huge party animal so that didn't help.

Survey of Accounting - A
Financial Accounting - A
Managerial Accounting I - B
Managerial Accounting II - B
Intermediate Accounting I - C
Intermediate Accounting II - C

Intro to Business- B
The Environment of Business - B
Building Construction Law - C

Business Statistics - C
Operations Management - C
Quantitative Analysis - C

Survey of Calculus - A
College Algebra - B

Economics in a Global Society - C
Business Economics - C

Principles of Corporate Finance - C

Advanced Business Applications - A
Introduction to Java Programming - C
Management Information Systems - B

Strategic Management - C
Management and Organizational Behavior - B

Marketing Research - C
International Marketing - B
Buyer Behavior - B
Marketing Management - C
Introduction to E-Commerce - B
Principles of Retailing - B

Business Logistics - B

Entrepreneurship - B

Public Speaking - B

Principles of Selling - B
Advanced Selling - C

In looking at this I'm very tempted to go back and at least get a bachlors degree in accounting but hopefully the fact that I have taken and passed 18 credits worth of Accounting courses will count for something. In looking at my schools requirements it would seem I actually need 18 more credits. If my school offered it online that would be great but the only thing they offer online is an MBA.