WasToldTheredBeCake's journey

I'm currently navigating a tough situation with my career in accounting. After being out of work for three years due to medical issues, I've accumulated around $25,000 in credit card debt and am considering filing for personal bankruptcy. This has raised concerns about how this might affect my job prospects in accounting or similar white-collar roles. I have a bachelor's degree in accounting and about 2-3 years of experience, mostly in accounts payable and administrative roles at small to medium companies. My credit history has always been good, and I've never faced bankruptcy before, so this is all new territory for me. I'm hoping to get back into a full-time accounting position once my health improves, but I'm unsure how declaring bankruptcy would impact my chances. Would it help to explain to potential employers that my financial situation is a result of medical issues? I'm particularly interested in entry-level roles in private, non-profit, or government sectors to continue building my career, but I'm also open to freelance bookkeeping opportunities if they arise. I just want to ensure I can advance my career without overly ambitious goals, like aiming for a CFO position.