Before I begin, I really do support the cadetship program and think it's a great way to learn and work simultaneously as you learn heaps and can directly apply it to your everyday work. But that being said, it's a huge commitment and not something to be taken lightly.
Lyounamu, look, I didn't mean for it to be that personal even if it seemed that way but basically the point I am trying to make here is that a cadetship is not just a scholarship or a way to pay for your uni. It's a genuine full-on commitment and it's not something which you can take lightly.
I understand that there are many people who are in a similar situation and want to keep their options open, but you have to remember that unlike a scholarship where all you are doing is applying to receive a grant, this is something which will require a lot of your time (if not all of it) in the future. Unless you would genuinely consider doing so, there really is no point in accepting the cadetship.
I suppose I should also clarify here that alot of my arguments are more directed at those individuals who accept cadetships at the time, and then back out of it after HSC results come out (i.e. 6 months later they cancel on their contract). As mentioned above this creates a headache and also denies the opportunity to those who could've made the most of it.
Besides, at the moment, imho, there isn't many people who know a lot of accounting. They say that they are genuinely interested but what do you really know about Accounting seriously? All they probably had was some people coming to their school talking about how awesome accounting is or from their friends, families and etc. My mum is an accountant and you would expect someone like me to know a lot about it, but I don't. You never know what job can hold unless you experience it.
And this goes back to my point earlier. People say that they are interested in the offer but how much? How much do they know about it? How passionate are they about it? They SAY that they know. They SAY that they are interested. The big fat chance is, they don't.
Of course noone really knows what they want- but I think it comes down to how lightly you treat the subject on this forum. Maybe you have the respect of all your other BoS-mates but as far as I can tell, you seem very proud of the fact that you will have these cadetships as nothing more than just back up plans. Yep, you called it a backup yourself- that means your true intentions are elsewhere. If that's the case, are you sure you really want to tarnish your name by even signing a contract for one?
For me, the choice was easy. I knew I wanted one and I went all out to get one. Not everyone knew it to the same degree, but everyone who I work with and accepted it knew that this was something they were willing to do and put the effort in.
BTW, I know the consequence it holds when I do get in and reject the offer. It's a pity if someone takes someone else's position.
But that happens in life. You just got to try your harder to get in. If others get in because they are better than you, stop complaining. All you have is yourself to blame for not being better.
I know it happens in life but it doesn't change the fact that there are people who do apply and get in, with absolutely zero intention of taking it. I'm not saying you're one such person- but I can name quite a few people who fit that description in the prior year, who did get Big4 cadetships, and surprise surprise, not one took it.
(EDIT: Emphasis again on I'm referring to accepting the offer initially and cancelling later on)
But are you also aware of the fact that someone applying has always wasted his resource (e.g. physical) by applying? It's an even situation really. As much as the sponsor has wasted its resource by having all the scheduling done, the applicant has done the same.
Hate to say it but one person's efforts in copying and pasting an application with a few tweaks here and there vs. a whole bunch of managers who have had to read applications, interview candidates, conduct group assessments and plan their staffing needs for the next 12 months. Hmm.... I agree that on both sides it has an impact, but again this relates more to those who sign and don't show on day 1.
So my conclusion is, many people who are "interested" in accounting know jack shit all about accounting. I will just consider that your post is more directed at people who drop off the cadetship while they are doing it because those people are the one who waste more resource while taking someone else's spot.
You are correct in that assumption- but because of the time lag between cadetship offers and HSC results (typically when people cancel on their cadetship), most people do end up fitting into that category.
I hope this post clarifies my intentions and the point I was trying to make about those who are merely doing this as a backup probably aren't that interested in the idea of committing to a full time job and are better off applying for a scholarship or something.
(edit: Apologies if I have totally misinterpretted what your intentions or thoughts on the subject are, and if you do want to consider it and would contemplate putting in 100% if you do decide to go ahead with it, then by all means, apply for it- and good luck! But please think about it carefully because if you don't think you want to work full time and be committed to a full time job, then there is no point- and it also impacts upon many other people)
