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.

Job Doc Chat with Pattie Hunt Sinacole On Monday November 30th

This week on the Job Doc Chat, Pattie answered questions about how to change jobs after a long employment period, how to explain absences from the job market and how to make a clean, attractive resume. She also answered questions about how to change jobs to an entirely new industry, all this and more here: http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2015/11/monday_job_doc_chat_with_patti_2.html

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.

Job Doc Chat with Pattie Hunt Sinacole on Monday November 2

This week on the Job Doc Chat, Pattie answered questions about applying for multiple positions at the same company, how to deal with sick coworkers and how to make a sample works portfolio. She also confronted the issue of asking for a salary increase, as well as what do when applying for a job while pregnant. All this and more here: http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2015/10/monday_job_doc_chat_with_patti.html

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.

Leaving a new job after 6 months - yes or no?

Q: I started a new job about six months ago at a large company outside of Boston. I am happy that someone took a chance on me because before that I had taken 15 years off to raise kids as a full-time mom. However, I am feeling that my job has turned into a bit of a grind. I am not nearly enthusiastic about the work as I expected to be. However, I am working with fun colleagues. It is also close to my home and they have given me flexible hours. My question to you is should I make a jump to a more fulfilling role or is it too early? 

A: Congrats on re-entering the workforce successfully. Some companies realize the value and talent of women who have taken some time off to raise kids, but then want to return to work once their children become a bit more self-sufficient.

It sounds like there are a lot of positives about your current job - they probably provided some training early on when you first started working there six months ago, they have offered you flexible work hours (which is sometimes as valuable as how they compensate you) and the commute seems reasonable (a perk especially during the winter months). However, the work doesn't seem as challenging or as interesting as you expected. Six months is not a long time to stay in one job.

However, I do have a possible solution. You had mentioned it is a large company. Larger companies often post internal opportunities to encourage employees to move within the organization. Is there an internal job posting system that you could check periodically? The job posting system may require that you remain in your current role for 6, 9 or even 12 months. It may be a good option because your commute would continue to be reasonable and your benefits would remain intact. However, you should check whether any new role offers a flexible work schedule. That benefit may not continue with your next role. The company would probably view the transfer favorably because they have retained you in some capacity.

Check out internal opportunities first. If internal opportunities are not available, you can start exploring opportunities elsewhere but try to continue with your current employer for one year.

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. 

Job Doc Chat with Pattie Hunt Sinacole on Monday, August 31

This week on the Job Doc Chat, Pattie answered questions about an employer's responsiveness to job applications and how to deal with annoying coworkers. She also tackled the tough question of how to ask for a raise, see all this and more here: http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2015/08/job_doc_chat_with_pattie_hunt_16.html

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. 

Harassment

Business leaders -- did you know that many Massachusetts employers do not have a sexual harassment policy in place? In Massachusetts, the law requires employers with six or more employees to adopt a written policy against sexual harassment. Contact us for more details on developing a policy that is compliant with both state and federal laws. We can also help train your supervisors and managers in a very cost effective way! The MCAD "encourages" Massachusetts employers to train and educate all employees on a "regular basis."

We can help! psinacole@firstbeacongroup.com