What is something that nobody tells you about CA articleship?

 What is something that nobody tells you about CA articleship?

• It's not where you did articles, as much as what you did in your Articleship, that matters. Absolute expertise in mundane tasks will end up creating a mundane skillset, that achieves nothing but that.
• Work hard in your articles, but make sure you also study hard. 3 years will pass away quickly, if you don't keep track of it. You need self-study, no matter who teaches you.
• Your intelligence matters nearly 0%, but your attitude during articles, especially with your direct principal, friends and clients will lay the foundation for your career, whether or not you use their reference. Your attitude will open the way for more challenging work, and experiences that an average person in the industry will not receive.
• Do not lie about anything to your principal/colleagues, especially about your lack of knowledge/weaknesses. They can easily reverse that situation, and if you don't correct them now, you may never correct them.
• Read outside your books. Read the bare acts, articles by knowledgeable people, attend seminars.
• Argue. I don't mean impolitely though. Argue points of view, argue about inefficiencies, argue about quality and provisions. Make sure you understand everything, even if you are considered dumb by your colleagues. But yes there is a time for everything, and you can't just sit around in a client meeting arguing, and definitely don't argue to prove your superiority. In short, be wise.
• Be kind, but not to a fault. Help your colleagues, but don't let them take advantage of your kindness. Remember you are only there to train, not to become a mule. If you struggle with that, remember that you doing their work, reduces the time you may get to study/do your own work, and reduces their exposure/experience in articles.
• Most of all, carry chocolates and juice, cause some days are just… (Keep them secret)
• Computers, Excel etc are very useful, but make a habit of writing. You need to be fast enough to pass your exams, even though for the rest of your life you may write less in a year than you do in a single exam.
• Hard work comes first, smart work comes second, and complete mastery comes third. So persevere till you gain the necessary skills.
• Try to expertise in something, but be a jack of all trades. The jack in you will sustain you till you can jump into the trade you are an expert in.

Make connections, build your resume, collect knowledge and skills and clear your exams.

Happy Articleship.