Externship Day 1!

After my first day (of two) participating in an "externship" at Deloitte, I really don't know where to begin in describing it! It was a super long day and about a million different thoughts and decisions and emotions have gone through my head throughout the day.

Our (there were about 15 externs) day started early this morning with breakfast at Deloitte followed throughout the day by different presentations by the three different areas of accounting (audit, tax, and advisory), a panel of partners to ask questions, and a communications workshop.  All of it was really interesting, but there was soooo much information all at once that it was hard to soak in everything!  People say that each of the "big four" accounting firms have a very different company culture - each do the same work, but what makes a person pick one over the other is the people.  I really liked the people at Deloitte! They were super laid back and friendly and I could definitely see myself fitting into their corporate atmosphere!

One interesting thing about the experience was that every other extern will be going into their Senior year at UA, ASU, NAU, or BYU.  In addition to being Seniors, a lot of them were even a lot older than the "typical senior" due to either going on mission, working through school, or coming back for a second or third degree.  Needless to say, I, being both a Junior and a lot younger than some of them, felt a little bit different!  On one hand, it was really cool for me to be given that opportunity so early on - quite a head start!  At the same time, I could definitely tell the difference in my knowledge/maturity level (not sure if they could or not).  Not that I'm immature or anything - but I've taken less classes, had less life experiences, and could probably understand less of what was being said and asked.  It really shows how much more I have to learn!  Still, I'm really happy that I was given the opportunity to get a hands on feel of the firm!

Intermixed in all the presentations was delicious meals.  Of course, being a poor college student I don't go out to many nice restaurants or have three big meals a day!  I was barely hungry at each, but I wanted to eat everything because it was so nice and tasty and a treat to go out! Sooooo I pretty much just packed it all in.  Gotta be treated sometimes right?

While these are all just facts about the day spinning around in my head that could definitely have come out in a more interesting and well-flowing blog, it is really just the minimum of what I have thought through today.  I'm realizing that choosing what I want to do with my life is a big choice and I really have no idea what I want to do.  Even though I can always change my mind later, it seems really important to start out on the right path.  The problem is, every time I hear about a new path, it sounds great and exciting and like something I would want to do!  I visit a small accounting firm and I love the idea of staying in Tucson and working in a small, but still public accounting atmosphere.  But then I go to somewhere like Deloitte, and it sounds like an amazing career path too!  Being a public auditor, working long hours with a team of people, learning SOOOO much, having incredible benefits, and having a clear ladder to climb within a successful firm also sounds exactly like something I would want to do.  And then I remember I would have to live in Phoenix or some other big city.  Next, I consider private accounting.  While public seems fun and fast paced and exciting, private might be more comfortable, easier with a family, and great to have an office atmosphere working with a team of people doing all sorts of different things.  I like the thought of having my own office and working up to being a CFO in the same place.  Finally - I look at everything and I wonder what God would want?  Am I even supposed to go into the corporate world, or does He have plans to send me elsewhere doing something completely different?  I honestly have no idea.  It seems completely overwhelming to think about and I am so thankful I still have a few years to think and pray and that I can trust God's guidance to lead me to the right path!