What Can I do as an Accountant Cont.../Part 3 (408 hits)
Finishing college was a task once I lost my aunt. It wasn't so much that I wasn't motivated it was more like I was being attacked from almost every angle. But as always God would show up and show out and leave people walking away shaking their head and rubbing their jaw. Ooooh I love HIM with all my might. How HE has cared for me and protected me I'll never have enough time to tell. But those who know know without a doubt.
To get a better scope of the field and where I could go within it I began to conduct informational interviews with as many Certified Public Accountants (the echelon level of the accounting field). Unfortunately none of the black accountants in the city would talk to me, this not only saddened me but angered me as well. So I spoke to the ones who I could and they really helped me out. They admitted that I would have a harder time compared to others but they felt that I was really "bright, intelligent and easy going as well as easy to get along with" so I should have a better chance than most that were like me. It was an honest answer that I got from all that I spoke to so I took it without getting upset or feeling disgraced because I wondered when did success have to do with anything other than true talent, skill and knowledge.
I left my fulltime job and began to look for an internship. In between the two I worked in the financial aid dept of my school where I was able to meet some of the greatest people that I still keep contact with. It felt good because I was able to be around financial planning and positioning and I loved it. In addition I would tutor students. I was the only person of color in my graduating class and trust me when I say I definetly felt it at times. But i took it all in stride and tried not to dwell on it. I let it be their problem and not mine.
Halfway into my junior year I landed a coveted internship with the state. I loved it I was paid more than double what most interns were paid, I had benefits incuding PTO and a 401k. Of course I gave it to God because it was a true miracle with how I got it. I put in an application thinking full well I wasn't going to get it. Not only did I put my app in late but I had been told by many students that they had been trying to get in with the state and hadn't been successful. I prayed and kept going. A couple of weeks later not only did I interview for the position but I received it on only one interview. I couldn't believe it!!!! I did such a good job there and formed such great relationships that they kept renewing my internship even after I graduated.
Walking the stage was an event never to be forget. I wore a necklace that my grandfather gave me (it was the last thing he gave me before he passed) and my deceased aunts favorite color. It felt strange not having either one of my pillars in the crowd. But I thanked God because I can truly say that no one in my program had traveled my road nor could they. A strong black woman who ain't afraid of success am I.
