Career transfer to accounting and finance

Q: I just have a few questions about career transfer that I hoped that you may be able to answer for me. I have worked for the past 9 years in the biotech industry with 5 of those years in manufacturing and the last 4 years in the quality compliance group. My job function is batch record review and testing review for intermediate drug substance release and final release. The company I work for is under consent decree and I have been involved in a lot of projects tied to the consent decree steps as both a lead and QA representative. I also have done extensive work with the third party consultants assigned by the FDA in responding to observations and putting together actions plans to correct errors and inconsistencies of our documents.

I graduated with a bachelor’s of science in accounting and finance summa cum laude from Northeastern University here in Boston and I was looking to transfer into the finance/accounting field as that is what my passion. I came across this program a data analytics boot camp (http://www.northeastern.edu/levelblog/ ) that I think might help me as I transition into finance/accounting as hopefully in an analyst role.

I was wondering if this program would be worth taking as I transfer to open more doors and also allow me to enter finance/accounting not at an entry level?

I also in the process of applying at schools to further my education and obtaining my MBA.

A: It sounds like you have a lot on your plate with a full-time job and considering an MBA. I probably would suggest investing your time and energy into the MBA route vs. the boot camp route. I know nothing about the data analytics boot camp but I think an MBA opens up more doors for you now and in the future. I would ensure that your MBA curriculum is rich in accounting and finance courses, even when you choose electives. Make sure you connect with fellow students in your MBA program, as well as the professors. Connections will help further your career. Also, if your company has a job posting system, I would keep a close eye on the opportunities posted internally. Get to know the people in finance and accounting within your company. Make sure that they know who you are and that you are planning to pursue an MBA and have a degree in finance and accounting.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.