Jessica Mitchell reflected on her volunteer experience with AccountAbility MN. She learned about herself by stepping outside her comfort zone and developing new skills. She provided valuable tax preparation services and financial guidance to low-income families. This experience helped clients maximize their income and build savings. Mitchell is now a better business professional due to gaining real-world experience, confidence in her abilities, and an IRS certification in tax preparation.

1. My Volunteer Reflection Project
By: Jessica Mitchell

2. 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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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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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7. 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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8. I provided free tax
assistance and helped
clients maximize tax
credits and refunds to
increase annual income.
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9. 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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10. 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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11. How am I a Better Business Professional?
I am a better business professional because I am qualified by the
IRS to prepare taxes. T ensure quality services, volunteers
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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. T successfully
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complete the IRS certification test both basic and intermediate
levels I developed Independence, Self-sufficiency and Self
confidence
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12. 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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