big_four_reject wrote: MidwestStudent wrote: Just going to give you some encouragement since I'm no longer a disparaged and destitute person.  I just got a job in the private industry that is better than a public accounting job in pay, hours, and with similar growth potential.  Pick a good company that promotes from within and apply for it.  Think creatively and don't just go for fortune 500's ;).  Also reach out to your family and friends to see if anyone can get you leads, which is what helped me get my new job. Any tips for finding those, because its very hard to get solid advice when "big 4/F100 company or bust" is being pounded into your head for 4 years? Furthermore, does anyone know of good masters programs for accounting majors? In case regional hiring is a big deal, I want to work in Texas/Atlanta/San Diego/Phoenix/Florida (I know, I'm all over the place huh?) and I'm wondering how much not going to a name brand school like UT/Michigan but still a decent state school will hurt me.

You come off as a huge worrier and that will work against you in any interview you get. Do you not think that will kill your confidence and you need confidence when interviewing for jobs. Trust me, I've lost a great multitude of jobs in the past because I wasn't confident in my abilities nor myself.

Just do some research and relax.