Nuoheng's April
Week 2 Reflection
What is your current work schedule (hybrid, virtual, or in-person)? Are you satisfied with it, or would you prefer to switch to a different arrangement?
I enjoy working in a hybrid model, where I’m able to experience both in-person networking and socializing, as well as the independence and self-reliant environment that comes with working virtually. The in-person days allow me to engage directly with my coworkers—whether it’s collaborating with the high school co-op team to wrap plushies for networking events or joining icebreaker sessions like the one hosted by Natalie, which helped me connect with others and feel part of the team. I also appreciated being selected to film a TikTok video, which let me apply my creativity and communication skills in a fun, social setting.
On virtual days, I’m able to focus deeply on tasks like grant writing for the YRES and TRES Speech Contests. I appreciate the quiet, independent work environment, and when I come across challenges, I’ve learned to be resourceful—using tools like ChatGPT to guide me, or reaching out to supervisors and peers when needed.
One challenge I faced initially was the onboarding process. I felt a bit lost navigating Slack and figuring out the communication expectations. However, one of the most helpful aspects of this work environment has been the quick response time from supervisors and fellow students. Whether it’s a technical question or clarification on a task, someone is always available to support and guide me. This has made the hybrid model feel well-balanced, supportive, and rewarding.
What area of the company would you be most interested in exploring and getting familiar with?
I am more interested in learning but mostly seeing how the events and tasks that we are planning for come to life. As for now, our tasks are a lot about planning for future plans (like summer camp vendors). I would like to see that all of our hard work has paid off. Another aspect that I am interested in is on how all the students would collaborate with each other and actually become friends.
How have you been balancing your time between this co-op position and your schoolwork?
One aspect of the company that I’m most interested in is seeing how the events and tasks we’ve been planning actually come to life. Right now, a lot of the work involves preparation and planning for future initiatives—like coordinating with summer camp vendors or writing grant proposals for upcoming events. I’m really looking forward to seeing the final outcomes and knowing that all of our efforts paid off.
I’m also curious about how all the students and team members collaborate over time. It’s been great getting to know people during team tasks and activities like icebreakers, and I’d love to see how those relationships continue to grow—how we support each other, become friends, and build a stronger team culture as the projects move forward.
How does your work here align with your future goals and aspirations?
As a current high school co-op student working as an Accounting Assistant, I believe the tasks I’m doing now are helping me build a strong foundation for my future. This role has already taught me how to organize my time, manage responsibilities, and stay detail-oriented—skills that are essential for a successful career in accounting or finance.
In the future, I hope to work in the finance industry, and this experience is giving me valuable exposure to real-world tasks like budgeting, forecasting, and working with spreadsheets. These hands-on experiences are directly aligned with my long-term career goals and are helping me feel more prepared and confident in pursuing this path.