Already have a winter internship lined up for M. Acct program?

bb, appreciate the move, thank you.

And to answer your questions, I don't have much interest in Big 4. I have heard lots of good things, and bad things, but feel for the most part that moving up the corporate ladder is not for me. I'm pretty happy to work at a small to mid-sized firm, making less, but with better work-life balance and more stability. Accounting isn't my passion, but it's interesting enough and I want to be able to focus on my hobbies more.

Ideal internship would be in the Northeast - places I'm looking at are: Indianapolis IN, Columbus & Cleveland OH, Pittsburgh PA.

I'm talking with HR tomorrow, so I think I can get out of it without burning bridges as they have been wonderful so far. And if I do decide to go Big 4 once I start grad school, I don't see an issue trying again with another regional PwC or Big 4 firm, I feel I have a good amount of interesting experience and interview skills (combined with the Kenan-Flagler career services) where it shouldn't be too difficult.

I think I'm most worried about the intense job recruitment at school and the "public accounting or bust" advice I keep getting.