We often use the saying that seeing things with “20-20” vision is seeing clearly in relation to things that are coming or what we are currently experiencing. So is your vision of this New Year clear? Has the fog lifted yet on where your life and career will take you following your DAP experience? With many of you completing the program during 2020-2021, it is important that you see your future clearly, by following some common Canadian idioms like; “keep your head up”, “keep your eyes wide open”, “keep your ear to the ground” and “put your finger in the air” to be aware of what is happening around you and to react strategically to bring success to your career future! Imagining doing all these things at once physically seems awkward (try it) you are fully able to do this mentally and strategically when it comes to generating success in 2020.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. There is no time like the present! – Begin looking at your course completion date now and realize the time to prepare for your career transition is now. Waiting until the end of your DAP experience will leave you at a real disadvantage among your peers and other competitors for the upcoming positions with public practice firms and other companies looking for people who are focused on where they are going. Begin taking action now to bring your actions in line with your employment goals. If you act now, you will be prepared for your transition and even more, positioned to connect with employers and secure your first career move following DAP.
2. Communicate with your current employer – Once you begin taking time for research, networking, career appointments, events, application preparation, interviews and job offer discussions, you will need some significant time to manage all this. If you are working, a discussion with your current employer now is necessary to let them know you will need the time off to make these efforts and transition into your next career progression. If you have not informed them yet concerning your plans, earlier is better, rather than waiting until the pressure is on your calendar and finding yourself in a predicament where your employer will be presented your rapid departure. Inform them now! If they are not willing to support you in this transition, find other employment that will allow you the time you need to succeed in your impending career change.
3. Consider your financial needs – For some of you, there will be no significant variance from your current income to your first position post-DAP. For those of you who are not working, any salary will be a welcome increase from being a student without an income. However, for many DAP students that have been employed before and are working in fields and roles where they have enjoyed career progression until now, a significant drop in pay is quite probable. Many students will need time to grow their careers and salary income from entry level to a commensurate level over the first few years of their new accounting career. For some of you the transition may mean a difference in income from $40-80,000 over the course of three-four years. For others, you may be able to transition into your next role at an equal salary level. This will only happen if you are combining your previous skill set with your newly acquired skills or secure a management role early in your new career. Do the math and make your plan. See CPABC and WorkBC for further accounting salary information for CPA’s.
4. Participate in campus and off-campus career activities now – Even if you are planning to complete DAP in 2021, you should consider becoming active in your career activities now. For example, some of the public practice recruiting opportunities that will come up in May-June of this year are for positions beginning in January or September 2021. This timing is inline with many DAP students’ program completion plans. So you have to get busy sooner rather than later. Attending events, making connections and meeting with people to create, build and maintain relationships is never lost time. The more connections you make and the more familiar you are to them, the greater your chances to become known, make an impact and be selected when the choices are being made.
5. Take full advantage of DAP career resources now – Part of your DAP fees are used to prepare resources, workshops and career coaching opportunities to ensure you have a realistic plan and to prepare you for every step and eventuality along the journey to your next career move. This Winter/Spring you can take advantage of a DAP career workshop series taking place January 27th, February 3rd and every Monday in March to prepare you in every facet of career management. This series will help you gain focus, take action and give you the understanding and skills you need to take you all the way to job offer and salary negotiation activities. These workshops will be from 5:00-6:15 pm so you can attend them and still make it to your classes. As well, on each workshop day there will be in-person coaching opportunities along with some additional days as needed and during public practice recruit for application reviews and interview training. Register now through COOL for the workshops and in-person coaching. If you have a need that does not fit into the schedule email dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca and an online career appointment can also be scheduled. Don’t miss out on these important opportunities.

One thing for sure, you are going to be busy for the foreseeable future and this year will be over before you know it. If you have the foresight now, take action and generate strategic success, you can look back and ensure that your “hindsight is 2020!”

Best of luck,

Russell Garrett

Russell Garrett is the Owner of Protocol Business Solutions, a Certified Career Consultant and your DAP Career Coach. Russell will be delivering workshops for DAP students January 27th, February 3rd and through March 2020. For 30 minute in-person coaching appointments with Russell, you can register through COOL for the time slot that suits you best. Simply search using “Garrett” to find open slots. Russell is also available to DAP students for online coaching appointments set up through email requests if needed. You can contact Russell at dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca.