My Volunteer Reflection ProjectBy: Jessica Mitchell

My Volunteer Reflection Album

This album is a detailed reflection of what I learned from my volunteer work with AccountAbility MN. It depicts what I have learned about myself, what I have given to someone else and how my learning through Service involvement prepared me to be a better business professional.

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What Have I learned about myself?

Volunteering at The Minneapolis Urbane League has taught me about myself. I learned that I am willing to experience situations that are new, complex and not necessarily understandable at the time. I have developed a tolerance to ambiguity, and have stepped outside my comfort zone. I learned that I adjust well to new settings, I can utilize networks and create and maintain professional relationships.

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Additionally, I take instruction well and I manage my time well. This experience has given me insight into myself and provided me with self-gratification.

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What Have I learned about myself?

The gratification comes from direct interaction with the people I service. An email sent to all volunteers from the AccountAbility MN staff expressed their appreciation for our work: "Dear volunteers, Thank you for your hard work and dedication this tax season. It is the numerous hours that you have spent preparing and reviewing tax returns and assisting with tax clinics that makes free, high-quality tax preparation in Minnesota a reality."

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What Have I learned about myself?

Accountability held a volunteer appreciation celebration at the end of the tax season to thank the volunteers for their work. One Accountability staff member said:"You make our work possible and, more importantly, you are making a difference in the lives of so many hardworking Minnesotans. Again, I thank you for gift of time and talent. You are greatly appreciated."

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What have I given to someone else?

I provided valuable financial knowledge that helps low income families build assets and become more financially secure. Accountability's states "Customers receive 100% of their tax refunds ....with our help they are learning how to use their refund to jump start saving and investing for a financially secure future"

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I provided free tax assistance and helped clients maximize tax credits and refunds to increase annual income.

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What Did I give to someone else?

I gave tax preparation services to lower income families. I worked at Minneapolis Urban League located at 2100 Plymouth Ave N, Mpls, MN 55411. A ccountability's website says: Customers have shared with us their appreciation for the work: “Thank you to all the volunteers who make this process both easy and possible.”"The service was excellent and the tax preparers were professional and very helpful.” “Thank you, for being in my neighborhood where service was great and the volunteers so warm.”

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Better Business Professional

“Thank God for people like you who volunteer their time to help other people in need.”Volunteer work made me a better professional. I developed confidence in my abilities and tolerance of ambiguity. I engaged in mutually beneficial events. I built belief in my abilities and personal control in the business environment.I developed Independence, Self-sufficiency and Self confidence

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How am I a Better Business Professional?

I am a better business professional because I am qualified by the IRS to prepare taxes. To ensure quality services, volunteers must reach certain qualifications to provide tax preparation. One of these requirements is to attend 10-15 hours of training in January. I attended these 15 hours of training. To successfully complete the IRS certification test both basic and intermediate levels I developed Independence, Self-sufficiency and Self confidence

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I am now, more desirable to accounting firms because I have tangible accounting experience in both tax accounting and tax software to compliment my education.

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