Nuoheng's March
Week 3 Reflection
Please share how you feel about the onboarding process. What are some resources that were helpful, and what’s something you’d like to see implemented in the future?
I enjoyed the onboarding process, as it gave me a clear understanding of what U+ Education is all about. Having a full week to complete the assignments was helpful, ensuring that I could go through everything thoroughly.
One of the most valuable resources was Project 1, which allowed me to explore different websites founded by U+ Education, provide ratings, and suggest improvements. This hands-on experience helped me better understand the organization’s work.
In the future, I would love to see more opportunities for employees to connect beyond virtual meetings. It would be great to have structured ways to socialize, learn about each other’s journeys, and understand why they chose U+. This would help build a stronger sense of community and make the workplace more engaging.
Describe one main task you worked on this week. Who did you work with? How did you approach the task? What did you accomplish?
The main task I worked on this week as an accounting assistant was the Budget Forecast and Ordering spreadsheet. My role involved searching for items on Amazon and recording details such as the name, release year, Amazon rating, price, and URL. After completing columns A-G, I worked on finding identical items from other stores and adding their URLs for comparison.
I collaborated with PM students on the spreadsheet and reached out to Kevin whenever I had questions. Since I was absent on Monday for integration day, I had a late start. However, when I returned, the spreadsheet was already partially filled out, making it easier to understand the structure and expectations by referring to existing entries.
By the end of the week, I contributed to completing over 200 rows, ensuring accuracy and consistency in the data. This task helped me improve my research, data organization, and collaboration skills, while also strengthening my ability to adapt quickly and work efficiently despite the delayed start.
What is one big challenge you faced this week? Who did you turn to when you needed support? Describe what you learned and what you would do differently the next time.
The biggest challenge I faced this week was understanding what the “Branded Item” column meant in the Budget Forecast and Ordering spreadsheet. At first, I wasn’t sure how to determine whether an item was branded or not. Instead of making assumptions, I decided to reach out for clarification.
I messaged Kevin, who provided a clear explanation along with an example that helped me understand the concept. His response made the task much easier, and I realized that asking for help right away can save time and prevent errors.
From this experience, I learned the importance of seeking clarification instead of guessing when something is unclear. Next time, I’ll try asking student employees first, as they might already know the instructions. This way, I can collaborate more with my peers while also improving my problem-solving and communication skills.
What personal motto or guiding principle would you bring with you to your role next week, and how do you see it helping you contribute to our organization’s mission?
Next week, I want to bring the motto “Work smarter, not just harder” into my role. This week, I was highly productive, completing a lot of research on Tuesday and then using the following days to refine my work and find additional URLs for each item. I realized that efficiency isn’t just about working long hours but about planning ahead, staying organized, and focusing on quality.
By applying this principle, I can contribute to U+ Education’s mission by ensuring my work is accurate and valuable while also managing my time effectively. This approach will help me stay proactive, adapt to new tasks efficiently, and support my team in maintaining high standards in financial and operational processes.