Hey Dark_End4 ! Congratulations for getting an interview!
Yup, you're right, I'm a current first year student of Bachelor of Accounting and hopefully I can shed some light on some of your questions. Don't be afraid guys--ask away--this is what this thread is for ! =)
Pros (of choosing uts scholarship over cadetship):
Opportunity to join companies that are in the commercial sector that would usually be unreachable (eg. American Express)
Experience at two companies
Good remuneration (can any one advise what the remuneration in cadetships are?)
Good community
Better work life balance (although I would rather push myself to work more)
Get degree done in two years with one full year of work experience
Cons:
Study workload in getting degree done in two years (smileplease can you comment on this?)
...
Starting with the pros list--
I guess you have kind of mentioned this already--but what stands out to me is that you get a taste of different types of environments! There are 3 streams of sponsors that we have: financial services, accounting services & commercial companies. The benefit of BAcc is that you get a taste of 2 of these steams so that you have a better idea of what you enjoy or suits you better-- whether that be working for a tangible product or working in companies that are more orientated towards financial/accounting services. You get preferences and the director will put you in the placement that they think will suit you best, so the course is definitely looking out for what you want. This variety is definitely an advantage over a cadetship.
I think the community is such a big part of BAcc as well. Having around 30 people going through same thing is invaluable-- I can't tell you how many times we have helped each other out already in the first year! It's a big family! And the BAcc network definitely extends beyond your own cohort. BAccs are everywhere in the industry today and I can tell you that from my own experience that they are just the nicest people who are willing to help another BAcc in need. This will definitely be of great help in the workplace!
BAcc definitely has a lot of networking functions as well to get involved in. You get to meet so many people in the industry over a short period of time--through sponsor visits to the firm, and the sponsors giving you a presentation at uni every week of the first semester of first year. You also get to attend other cool BAcc events like the camp, BAcc ball and the revue. You get to go on school visits to promote the program, talk to prospective students at the cadetship and bacc info evening night and help out on your interview day! I love how involved we are with the program and I think little things like these are really cool features of the program that you may not find at all the firms offering cadetships.
And lastly, I think there is just a bit more freedom with doing the BAcc over a cadetship. I've got a couple of mates on cadetships and they hardly get any holidays when the university has holidays. They always have to arrange evening classes and don't really get the time to be involved with clubs (although this is totally dependent upon the individual). Additionally, I know somebody who is quitting their cadetship to go on exchange. Some firms don't allow their cadets to go on exchange (maybe someone else can shed some light on this?) but you can definitely go, as many do, in the 2nd semester of the 3rd year of BAcc.
Going to the cons/adv. cadetships have over BAcc:
I probably wouldn't mention remuneration/scholarship $$ in the interview... but as far as I know, cadetships pay a lot better but then you have to work more.
This is true. You work for much longer for cadetships and so do get better $$. With the Time-Money Trade-off, that's a given.
And yes-you are right, there is quite a study workload, but given you manage your time appropriately, it won't be too hard. Intense-yes, BAcc isn't an easy course. You will go through a fast-track period whereby you crash 2 subjects in a short amount of time with the other BAccs and then take 5 subjects during the normal semester. But it is definitely manageable and having fellow BAccs helping out makes it so much easier, definitely when it comes to note sharing and getting together a group for assignments.
I don't know what else to say. If there are any other cons to this course, then it is self-created. It is all about your attitude that really determines how much you get out of your experience -- if you are open-minded, positive and show initiative, you will have a great, great time ! =)
