Off the Ledger
Your days as a college student are almost numbered. The working world is calling. As you get ready to embark on your career, you have to be thinking, “What am I going to do when I graduate?” “Is a job in public accounting right for me?”
Where do you want to go?
You have so many options. Big firm or small? How do you decide? Where can you go to get the real, honest look at a career in public accounting? What is it REALLY like to be an intern? What will my life be like as a staff accountant?
See your future...
At Porter Keadle Moore, LLP (PKM) we’re here to help. We’ve created this blog site just for you! To help you find answers to these and other questions about working in a public accounting firm. Real interns and brand new staff accountants chronicle their experiences with our firm. Read what they have to say. Ask questions, share your opinions and we’ll respond.
De-Stress Your Life
Sarah McCracken - Tax Intern
A career in public accounting can cause for stressful times, especially during the busy season. Even if your career does not lead you into accounting, it is almost guaranteed there will be stress related to your job. A recent article in Atlanta Woman states that today, 90 percent of visits to primary care physicians are stress-related. Stress is the number one disability in the world and it is time that we start taking the necessary steps to better our health. The following are five tips to de-stress your life.
- Schedule Mini-Vacations - You can create a “mini-vacation” by doing things you would usually do while on vacation. This could be anything from taking a walk outside to going to a local art festival. Don’t waste your vacation time - use these days to take a long weekend or even a half-day one afternoon. Spend this time with friends and loved ones.
- Eat Mindfully - When you experience food for all it has to offer, your body will be well nourished. Take time to eat your meals and stop always eating on the go. Foods that are rich in vitamin B-6, such as bananas, mangos, peppers, chicken, and sweet potatoes, are excellent in reducing stress. Also, eating at least three servings of fish a week will help protect your brain from the diseases of aging, as well as other health benefits.
- Stay Connected with Family and Friends - A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology reported that individuals with strong social ties had dramatically lower rates of disease and premature death than those who felt isolated or alone. So call up your friends and family and get together for lunch, dinner, or anything you can do to spend time with others.
- Create Rituals in Your Life - Establish daily rituals by setting time for family, dinners, or time just for yourself. You should also plan events to look forward to throughout the week. Research shows people just anticipating watching a funny movie had 27 percent more beta-endorphins.
- Laugh as Often as Possible - Laughing releases endorphins, or “healing hormones.” Studies show that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, triggers the release of endorphins, and boosts immune function.
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