As you think about creating your elevator pitch, one of the key questions to ask yourself is: “What makes me unique?”
We all have experiences that shape who we are. Whether it’s living abroad, growing up with six siblings, caring for an elder, being a first-generation college student, or being a successful content creator—these are all formative moments that can contribute to your personal growth. And they’re also powerful ways to showcase the value you bring to an accounting role.
Need help seeing the vision? Here’s how “doing you” actually makes you an A+ accountant…
Gone Global? You’re Ready to Speak the Language of Business
Did you grow up living abroad and move to the states in middle school? Did you have to relocate to Australia for your mom’s job? Do you currently attend an international high school?
If so, you’ve had the opportunity to embrace different perspectives and understand cultural nuances that influence communication and working styles, all of which make you a more effective collaborator. Since accounting is a team sport, where you're often solving financial puzzles together, this global experience allows you to approach projects more thoughtfully—bringing real value to your clients and company. (And off the record: bringing value to them often leads to success for YOU.)
So You Grew Up With Six Siblings? That’s Leadership
Are you one of those lucky (...sarcasm? 🤔) people who grew up in a big household with a lot of siblings? Don’t underestimate how this can shape your professional story—especially if you’re the eldest.
You’ve learned to stay calm in even the most chaotic situations. You know how to navigate intense pressure and disorganization. Whether it’s managing competing financial filing deadlines for companies going public or juggling multiple tax timelines, you know how to keep your cool—and, in fact, you thrive under pressure.
More than that, you’re skilled at balancing multiple perspectives and finding the best path forward. One might even call you an expert in conflict resolution. You know how to work with different personality types and bring out the best in everyone.
From Caregiver to Career-Builder
Do you help take care of a family member? That’s not just a responsibility—it’s a superpower.
You’re dependable on another level. You know how to show up, be patient, and lead with empathy—your team members will be able to count on you. Between managing routines and adapting to changing needs, you know how to build key relationships with clients who might be going through hard financial situations and need a trusted advisor. And you’ve probably had to help your grandma operate some new tech a time or two, which makes you adept at simplifying complex concepts for unfamiliar audiences. By balancing heart and follow-through, you’re exactly what accounting firms need.
First-Gen Energy
First in your family to go to college? You're built #different. You’ve navigated systems without a blueprint. You're resourceful and not afraid of figuring things out and problem solving. And, big picture, that’s what accounting is all about: solving problems without a blueprint. Your experience decoding financial aid forms and navigating college applications has proven that you know how to learn on the fly. All of which makes you perfect for accounting. Hey, numbers on financial statements aren’t going to jump out and say: “Pssst… I'm the reason things aren’t adding up!” You have to have natural curiosity to go hunting for where there’s an error or fraud.
Content Creator = Pro Communicator
In your storytime era? That’s a professional flex.
Content creators know how to analyze what’s working, adapt fast, and present with clarity and entertainment. When you’re gathering the details for your storytimes or talking about a recent true crime podcast episode, you’re framing an engaging narrative. This allows you to practice skills that accountants use every day, such as storytelling through data and strategic thinking. Communicating clearly and confidently? That’s client-facing accounting 101.
So, it turns out, your content brain is also built for balance sheets.
Now is the time to own what makes you stand out. You know—the parts of you that might seem “unrelated” to accounting but have actually done a great job preparing you to succeed in the field? Yeah, those.
Accounting is made up of all kinds of people, each finding their own path to thrive. When you choose accounting, you’re choosing a career that celebrates who you are and offers a community that’s excited to watch you grow into who you’re meant to become.
