Shall I switch to HR studies from accounting?

[Mumofacutie]

Hey, I am just here for advice, really. So initially, I was playing with the idea of studying HR, as when I was looking into the modules, it definitely looked interesting to me and I could have imagined myself in that field. But later, I made the decision to sign up for an online AAT accounting level 2 course, which is obviously very different. Just started it not long ago, and goes ok, but I am not sure if this is what I would like to do. I have an option to switch courses within this online training provider, but before I make this decision, I would like to listen some opinions. I looked into the CIPD level 3 course in People Practice. Is it easy to get a job withthe entry level at all? How about the accounting? I looked into job advertisements and many places require experience, which I don’t have unfortunately, as I am doing these studies for the sake of career change. So shall I switch or not?

I wouldn't. You can get a job in HR without the qualifications, but I think you'd have to (eventually) do your accounting qualifications if you stay in that field.

Also the AAT will be better respected in a wide range of jobs

Practicing as an accountant is very different to the exams.

Where and how have you been searching for jobs? Accountancy has a huge and well-established trainee pipeline. If you're not seeing those roles then I think your search approach is at fault.

@folkjournals I normally search on Indeed, and my keywords are: assistant accountant, junior accountant, apprenticeship, trainee accountant. I had a great opportunity last week as a finance assistant but turned out I need a driving license as it is in a rural area.. unfortunately I don’t have a license just yet, planning to go for it soon though. Anyway, what would you suggest? Should I search elsewhere for opportunities? Thank you!

Why HR? Do you like people? Can you tolerate people when they act unreasonably? Can you speak truth to power? Do you find employment law interesting?
Numbers or people. There's your choice!

Two very different roles. Without thinking directly about accountancy or HR, what are your strengths/less good areas, and what keeps you interested in your work?

(I've done both)

Both can be fucking boring at the early stages, but get more interesting as you progress.

Both are going to get increasingly automated for entry level roles, so you need to be thinking ahead

@Hollyhocksarenotmessy I have been in a customer service role, and I do enjoy dealing with people and I like challenges as well, and handle concerns face to face. Just to add, at the moment I work in a nice area, where 95% of the customers are super nice. (I work in optics, so it very different from the roles mentioned above.)
I also like tasks requires brainwork, that is what I like about my AAT course. It was completely new to me, and in the beginning everything was so unknown, but I enjoyed finding the logic behind the details.
I applied for couple of entry level jobs in AAT, but been refused on all occasions, so maybe that put me off a little bit.

@Mumofacutie - Many years ago (& to be fair I'm not in the UK) I started some degree level studies as a mature student. The areas of HR/Communications etc etc I loved from the get-go & decided that would be my Major to graduate in. Just love people, talking, resolutions, training etc, etc

However I re-connected with my (then ex) DH & we decided to give things another go - but because of where he lived & worked I would never find HR work (rural farmer & until his property was sold not easy to move from).
So I transferred to studying Accountancy.
I'm not a number person & really struggled then with some basic accounting concepts but I perservered (& just graduated with a non-Major just to get the degree over the line) & fortunately I then found work in the smaller rural-ish town we lived near. They took a great leap of faith with me & I learned immeasureable skills & did further professional qualifications.
But truly my heart was not in it - I loved & preferred the client work but struggled at times with increasingly more senior work & expectations to perform to others with levels of similar qualifications.

Im not working in that industry anymore - a real burnout for me unfortunately, but I was there nearly 20 years so think I gave it a good try.
So I suggest you really think about your core strenths & what do you enjoy doing - potentially for the rest of your working life. Have you investigated potential companies/businesses - in either field - you could work for & find out what skills & other attributes their prospective employees have (HR or job adverts etc) then try & work towards those as goals.

I wish I had had a Mentor when I was trying to work out what I could do & be & then apply my studies towards that. Its a long time if you end up in the wrong job & are then paying back study fees.
All the very best.

It's hard to advise, sorry. I would look forward a few years to see what more advanced roles tick your boxes. If you look at the CIPD site there's good career guidance and explanations of different types of HR roles. I wouldn't say there's really a connect to customer service though. Likewise look at accountancy specialisms.

I think first jobs are harder to find in HR than bookkeeping/accounts, especially if you can't travel.