Hi, I’m Hongye.
Junior accounting student at Chapman University pursuing a career in tax.
About Me
I am a dedicated accounting student at Chapman University with professional interests in tax, financial reporting, and the CPA profession. Through internship experience in public and nonprofit sectors, I have built practical accounting skills in payroll, journal entries, general ledger reconciliation, QuickBooks, and Excel. As President of Chapman University Skate Club, I have also strengthened my leadership, communication, and organizational skills. These experiences have shaped my commitment to professionalism, ethical service, and continuous growth as I prepare for a career in tax and accounting.
Professional Values & Goals
Mission Statement
“My mission is to provide ethical, accurate, and transparent accounting service while treating others with the same respect, honesty, and care that I would expect for myself.”
Vision Statement
“My vision is to become a CPA who helps individuals and businesses navigate their tax needs with integrity, professionalism, and compliance with the law.”
S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Personal Growth Reflection
Goal 1: Building Healthier Sleep Habits
My first SMART goal focused on improving my sleep habits by sleeping before 12:00 a.m., getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night, and reducing social media use before bed. Throughout the semester, I used the iPhone Health app and my Apple Watch to monitor my habits and create more consistency in my routine. By the end of the semester, I averaged 7 hours and 27 minutes of sleep per night. Although I did not fully achieve my original target, the process helped me better understand the relationship between discipline, technology, and productivity. I realized that my biggest obstacle was not necessarily a lack of time, but the amount of unintentional time spent on social media. Setting a one-hour daily social media limit became the most effective strategy because it forced me to become more intentional with my time and priorities. As a result, I was able to complete assignments earlier, reduce procrastination, and improve both my academic focus and mental well-being. This experience taught me that sustainable self-improvement often requires structured systems and accountability rather than relying solely on motivation or self-control. Moving forward, I plan to continue strengthening these habits by further reducing unnecessary screen time and maintaining a healthier long-term sleep routine.
S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Personal Growth Reflection
Goal 2: Developing a Consistent Reading Habit
My second SMART goal was to develop a consistent reading habit by reading Rich Dad Poor Dad before bed each night. Midway through the semester, I adjusted my weekly reading target to make the goal more realistic because English is not my first language, and I often needed additional time to fully understand the material. Although I did not finish the book, the experience became valuable in a different way than I originally expected. As I continued reading, I realized that personal growth is not always about completing a task simply because it was originally planned. Instead, I learned the importance of critically evaluating whether something is continuing to provide meaningful value. Over time, I felt that the book’s ideas were too general and repetitive compared to the more practical knowledge I was gaining through my accounting coursework and professional preparation. Rather than forcing myself to complete something that no longer aligned with my goals, I redirected my time toward activities that better supported my academic and career development. This experience taught me that adaptability and self-awareness can sometimes be more important than rigidly following an original plan. At the same time, I still recognize the importance of developing a long-term reading habit. In the future, I hope to choose books that contribute more directly to areas of growth I want to strengthen, particularly communication, confidence, and interpersonal skills.
S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Personal Growth Reflection
Goal 3: Reducing DoorDash Use and Cooking More Often
My third SMART goal was to reduce my DoorDash use and cook more meals for myself in order to save money, eat healthier, and improve my overall discipline and time management. Throughout the semester, I attempted to learn new recipes through social media and even tried reconnecting with traditional Chinese cooking by asking my grandma for advice. However, this goal became more challenging than I originally anticipated. Growing up in a Chinese household shaped my expectations toward food, variety, and meal quality, which made it difficult to stay satisfied with repetitive or simplified meals. Through this experience, I realized that my relationship with food is closely connected to comfort, mood, and daily motivation. I also learned that social media often makes cooking appear much easier and more effortless than it actually is in practice. Although I was not fully successful in reducing DoorDash use as much as I intended, the experience helped me develop greater self-awareness about my habits, preferences, and limitations. Rather than viewing the goal as a failure, I see it as a reminder that sustainable lifestyle changes require gradual improvement, patience, and realistic expectations. Moving forward, I want to continue improving my cooking skills step by step while becoming more intentional about when and why I choose convenience over preparation.
Team Feedback Summary
Through the peer feedback and observation activities, I learned that the small actions I took throughout the semester had a larger impact on my teammates than I originally realized. Several classmates mentioned that I was someone who would “step up,” share important information with the group, and help create a more positive and organized environment. Seeing comments about how my actions made others feel more supported and less stressed helped me better understand the importance of being dependable in team settings.
One of the biggest things I learned about myself is that I naturally try to help the group when there is uncertainty or when something important needs to get done. For example, classmates noticed when I volunteered to turn in assignments, sent pictures of important class information to the group chat, and represented the team during activities. Although I viewed these actions as simple responsibilities, the feedback showed me that others appreciated having someone willing to take initiative. This experience helped me realize that leadership is not always about having authority or being the loudest person in the room, but often about being reliable, proactive, and supportive of others.
I also learned that maintaining a positive attitude can influence the overall mood of a group. My teammate, Colton, mentioned that I was “always in a good mood,” which made me reflect on how attitude and energy can affect teamwork and communication. Even small moments of encouragement or positivity can help others feel more comfortable, supported, and motivated during group work.
In the future, I will use this experience to become more thoughtful when both giving and receiving feedback. When giving feedback, I want to focus on recognizing specific actions and explaining their impact, because I now understand how meaningful detailed feedback can be. When receiving feedback, I will continue to stay open-minded and use others’ perspectives to better understand my strengths and areas for growth. Overall, this process helped me become more aware of how my behavior affects others and encouraged me to continue developing my communication, teamwork, and leadership skills in both academic and professional environments.
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