Corporate malfeasance

[nvictor]

Hi,
I'm on a difficult essay topic. Only my teacher seems interested. I'm talking about corporate malfeasance and particularly accounting frauds that have caused the debacle of Enron and I'm proposing that we start rating ethical level in corporations.

I've worked for 2 years before starting college, so I know what danger accounting fraud is. The problem is with my classmates. They don't give a fuss of my topic. They don't even peer-review my drafts. They don't ask any question. But sooner or later they are going to enter the work force, right?

The debate day is approaching and I've not finished yet my final essay because I'm afraid I wont get a good grade.

Do you have any idea that can help me?

thanks in advance

[RT Wolf]

I'm not sure what you're talking about. I read the first paragraph to mean, "I'm not interested in this topic and/or this is difficult." The second paragraph to mean, "My classmates aren't interested in something that I know could have a very real impact on their lives." The third to mean, "I'm concerned or anxious about my performance."

Am I reading that correctly?

1. Suck it up and just do it. You decided you wanted a good grade in this class, so you have to have hte resolve to see that through.
2. Other people's apathy is their's alone. You tried to inform them, but if they're not interested, they're not interested. I empathize with you, though, I am finding that students who are used to just viewing the material they are learning as something they have to learn, rather than something that may actually be applicable to their lives is frustrating. You have gained a valuable new perspective on your education, but don't be frustrated that others don't share it.
3. There's a couple of ways to handle this fear and anxiety. Release your need to do well, is one way, if you are advanced enough in emotional mastery. Another way is to figure out exactly what you want and focus totally on that, rather than being afraid of vague fears. You want an A? Visualize your paper with an A and wonderful remarks like, "Incisive. Useful. Best paper this year!" Keep your motivation high. And remember, your sense of worth shouldn't be tied to your grade. Ever.

I hope that helps.

[nvictor]

RT, I'm interested, it's just that the topic in itself is a difficult one. I've even noticed that in my sources. Businessmen are still arguing about the best practices to prevent financial fraud.

And I'm afraid of my grade because the debate is the key. My argument must be debatable...

Thanks for those words "Your sense of worth shouldn't be tied to your grade.

[RT Wolf]

I'm not sure what you mean by your argument must be debateable. I thought you were supposed to build the strongest argument possible?

It sounds like performance anxiety to me. If you're into EFT or Sedona or some other emotoinal mastery method like that, use it. But if you were, you prolly woulda already.

Can you imagine yourself debating clearly and lucidly and your opponents dumbfounded by the strength of your arguements? (you can use less agressive imagery, obviously). If you feel that you can't, just tell yourself that you are going to PRETEND and imagine what it would be like if you did really well on this debate. How the debate would go and how you would feel when you get your grade. Give yourself permission to just blue-sky this thing.

I think others can offer more ways of reducing your anxiety. But I do hope this helped.

[dgorila1]

What is your core problem here? Are you worried about the corporate world when you enter it, or just this paper you are trying to get everyone to take seriously? If its the paper, just make sure you have researched it thoroughly and have clear, concise facts and the paper is easy to read, understand, and is based on fact. The grade should reflect.
As far as the corporate world, ever since the Enron/Tyco/etc scandals, corporate accounting has tightened down BIG time for companies large and small. You can't buy an eraser without them wanting 12 justifications why! This should be the least of your worries in the work world.
It has opened up a great opportunity if you want to get a degree in accounting though. There are tons of high paying accounting jobs in both the public and private sector, consultants, independent auditors, etc due to all of these past scandals. A great career opportunity if it interests you. I know plenty of accountants easily earning 6 figures in a variety of positions (internal accountants, independent auditors, consultants, taxes, etc, etc). Our company is small (500 people) and in the past we basically had a blank check to buy and spend (it was still regulated though). Since these scandals in the past few years, our financials have literally turned 180 degrees, with EVERYTHING having to bear scrutiny of the Controller and accounting dept. Even the CEO and VP's, who used to be able to approve many high dollar items, have to pass everthing to the bean counters for approval.