If you want to work at one of the Big Four firms, what difference does it make whether you go to a good school like University of washington vs an ivy league like Harvard? Wouldn't starting salaries be comparable?
2007-02-23 08:14:31 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
It just matters for your first job. After that, you are on your own merits as far as pay and position and promotions, etc. But for that first job, a Harvard grad is going to command more of a starting salary, and also probably be looked at by more companies.
2007-02-23 08:22:55 · answer #1 · answered by Sweet n Sour 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, the Harvard grad might get a postion at a higher level than the grad from a second tier school as a new hire. I've seen senior management hire grads from Harvard, Columbia, Yale, even Notre Dame over grads from the school that the manager himself attended. In addition, companies go to the Ivy League schools looking for employees. When the company wants you, that gives you a head start....
Second, for the first job, your ranking in the class is very important. So don't go to Harvard and wind up last in your class and think you're going to make partner in six months... It's much better to excell at a less prestigious school....
Good luck. I hope you can spell Sarbanes-Oxley!
2007-02-23 16:42:07 · answer #2 · answered by Chef dad 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not to familiar about Accounting degrees from different universities, but my dad believes that all universities are equal, it just matters on how much you apply and learn there. I would have to say that is poppy-squat. Having an Ivy League degree doesn't always mean you are getting the best education, it many times you are paying for the "prestige" of going there. If you plan on staying in the NW the I'd say go to U of Wash, and establish yourself first in a good company and then you can "market yourself" to a broader range of companies. Many companies love people that have college degrees, but it also looks good on a resume if you have both a college degree AND real world experience.
2007-02-23 16:28:29 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The alumni at Harvard can get you into jobs that the other school can not. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE COMPANY YOU WANT TO WORK FOR WILL HIRE YOU OVER THE Non-Harvard person. Their alumni will get them in to places where there are no Harvard alumni.
2007-02-23 16:28:10 · answer #4 · answered by whatevit 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you kidding? Are you familiar with the Harvard network? It's a culture/community unto itself. Believe me, those connections will benefit you your whole life!
Don't pass up the opportunity, regardless of starting salaries.
2007-02-23 16:24:17 · answer #5 · answered by SensiblySmart 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋