Samcitt

Hello,

I am currently studying AAT Level 3 and I have my doubts that a) whether the accountancy path could eventually earn me a good wage and b) that I would have leverage if I wanted to emigrate (I'm from the UK). I'm of course not expecting to be able to emigrate with an AAT qualification; I'm curious about my prospects if I took it the whole way.

I admit part of my reasons for wanting to emigrate is sentiment: I don't enjoy living in the UK that much but pragmatic enough to pick a well paying job which wouldn't necessarily allow me to emigrate over one which does which wouldn't allow me a decent wage in my new country.

My question: Should I continue studying Accountancy (whether for financial or emigration potential) or should I go to university (or try to get in at least!) and study something else? Is Computer Science a good degree? What about law? What about medicine? Would this humble peasant have what it takes to succeed in such fields?

Could anyone advise? Bear in mind that I am doing quite well in my studies and passed my level 2 with little difficulty.

Thanks.

Bermudashorts

If you want to pursue a career that increases overseas working opportunities then you should study something medical. Accountancy does not provide too many options really, it might get someone to Australia at the moment but not many other places.

To be honest though, I cannot imagine pursuing any career just because of a notion that it might lead to work overseas. My recommendation is always to find something of personal interest.

One thing concerns me about your post, you say you are from the UK but don't like living there? Have you ever lived anywhere else? If not, I find that a really odd and quite a sad thing for someone to say.

Samcitt

Hello Bermudashorts. Thank you for your prompt response.

Well apart from the weather and the country's questionable financial potential for the future it's because I can't really leave due to not having a sufficient skill set. I find the whole emigration process rather disheartening. I know I will have to drag my butt through college for 3 or more years and there is no guarantee I could find a job or affordable housing in this country let alone another one. If I had the freedom to choose a country and the confidence to know I could probably go there I would feel more comfortable about it.

I do have my own personal reasons for emigrating - there is a person I would like to be with who is not from the British Isles.

There isn't really many jobs which reflect personal interest for me - work is something I do and put up with (providing I don't become exhausted) as long as I won't lose my ethical integrity and can spend my spare time on leisure activities.

Is medical e.g. a doctor open more doors than anything else? I have considered becoming one a few times in the past.

Thanks.

Bermudashorts

You seem to have a very glass half empty outlook on things, sometimes it is worth counting blessings, maybe you should do that from time to time. The UK consistently has one of the highest GDPs in the world and doesn't the recent £1.7billion bill from Europe show it is the best performing European economy? So what financial potential for the future are you talking about exactly, I wonder.

I am not trying to discourage you from moving, this site is for people who have done that or want to do that. But you just seem to have a gloom about you that I don't know if moving is going to fix. You are going to find all countries have economic ups and downs, there is no escaping it.

Regarding work. You spend a lot of time at work, it will be where you spend the majority of your awake time. I really would encourage you to think harder about what you might like to do. You are a long, long way of becoming an accountant, so it is not like you can't change track. Yes as I said, medical can open up doors to overseas opportunities much more than accountancy can.

teejaydee

This is good advice, and is the first thing the OP should do. There is no point in pursuing a career unless it brings satisfaction. A good salary, or the ability to acquire the expertise to be able to emigrate are nice, but fundamentally, job satisfaction is the most important thing to seek.

Apart from accountancy, the OP mentions the medical and legal professions. The problem with studying law is that it leads to a very country-specific qualification. Each country has its own legal system, so that a UK-trained lawyer would have no knowledge of the legal systems in other countries.

Medicine of course is universal. It is also extremely difficult to gain entry to a medical school, and therefore I think the OP needs to consider if this would be possible. It's best to be realistic in these matters.

As for accountancy, I am an accountant and so can empathise to some extent with the OP. It's not the most exciting occupation, but it pays well and has enabled me to work in many interesting countries. I have never regretted becoming an accountant, but each to his own.

Computer science is another portable career, but one needs to have the aptitude. I never did, but for those who do, it's a good choice. It's also a fast-changing area, so what is current today may not be so in a few years time.

Wombat7

If you want to be an accountant, as opposed to an accounting technician, you might want to,look at one of the other qualifications, but, yes, I am afraid thy will necessitate having a degree.

If you have a chartered designation, work with one of the big four and are a high achiever, you can pretty much write your own ticket as to where you want to go....but AAT ain't going to do it, I am afraid

barnaby

I completely agree that you should avoid the law if you are specifically looking for a portable qualification. I studied law before going into accountancy specialising in tax. While their is certainly some scope for travel, the fact that my direct experience is tied to the UK legal system certainly limits my options.

At the end of the day, most jobs will give you some opportunities to move if you look hard enough. I agree you should find what you enjoy first. What's the point in moving abroad if you end up tied to a job you hate?