The influence of the internet is a certified fact. Rather than try to deny its presence in our lives, we think a better use of our time is showing you how you can use one of the internet’s most powerful integrations — social media — to benefit your future.
CAUGHT IN 4K:
Accountants will always tell you the rewards at the end of the journey are worth it. But as you embark on your own journey, hearing and reading about it might not always be enough. Sometimes seeing it with your own eyes is the best motivator. That’s where “POV” TikToks and IG dumps come in handy. Social media can provide a real life simulation of the opportunities and lifestyle available in accounting so that you can begin to visualize what your future could look like if you stay the course. As we’ve mentioned before, visualizing is a great way to practice manifestation.
DM:
Social media apps (in addition to LinkedIn) can also be good for networking. Some accountants have built brands on other platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X, becoming content creators who break down the awesomeness that is accounting and answer students’ questions. There are also others who might tap into creating career content, but also document other parts of their life like travel, wellness, beauty, sports, music, and food. Reaching out on platforms where accountants have this kind of presence, can allow you to network in a more casual setting and find common interests and passions that makes the networking experience a little less intimidating.
Deciding if you want to use your other social media channels to engage accounting professionals isn’t just based on what they post, but also what you post. Is it appropriate to be seen by those you want to leave a good impression on? Think carefully about how you would feel if your manager or coworkers saw your posts. Because one of those accounting professionals you decide to engage, could potentially become one of them.
FTW:
Social media, especially platforms like TikTok and Instagram, have become hubs for tips and tricks when it comes to everything education and career related (CareerTok, anyone?). If you’re looking for ways you can improve your productivity or underrated resources and tips you can take advantage of online and on campus, then social media can be a great stop.
Some of our favorite things to search on TikTok:
- Tips for interviewing for specific scholarship programs
- Professional writing hacks
- Hidden rules for networking
- How to answer tough scholarship interview questions
Like any explicit advice you receive on social media, be sure to take it with a grain of salt and refine it to work for your circumstances. And most importantly, fact check!
OOMF:
Social media is also a great way to engage with your peers when you’re not in class. Since they’re already on it, you might as well reach out to them where they’re most active.
Here’s some ways you can interact with them:
- Run quizzes to see if there are any students who are interested in accounting and want to carpool on a college visit together
- Post question boxes to get your peers’ help finding an accountant who’s interested in mentoring or if their company is hiring for interns
- Post an interesting article link or screenshot for discussion
- Find meaningful conversations you can engage with by searching accounting related hashtags (here’s some you could start with: #accountingfirms, #financialplanning, #accountingprograms)
- Join accounting focused groups to find study buddies and accountability partners
Social media is the largest community that we have access to. It has a diversity of perspectives — much like accounting — that are primed to teach you something new. However, with the mixture of voices, comes the need to learn discernment. As you start your career journey, this is the perfect opportunity to practice the art of deciding what’s for you — and what isn’t. Trust yourself and the rest will follow!
