In June of 2011 I was invited to join the NRHAaccounting department as an accounting assistant. I was blown away at first, but extremely excited and motivated. While I love the duties of an administrative assistant, I have always dreamed of working in an accounting department. This was a dream opportunity.

Coming from NRHA’s Section 8 department to the accounting department, however, has had its unique challenges.

The first challenge I faced was starting over. Although I have built my skills and developed my knowledge of our rental assistance program, in accounting I am learning a whole new position. I now oversee the costs for multiple departments, which has forced me to think differently about my work.  I must now think in terms of GL codes, Debit and Credit, itemization and PO requests.

The second challenge I faced was overcoming the fear of the unknown.  In Section 8 I was familiar with mo co-workers and the understood well the work we did. In accounting, I knew that I would be working with a great group of people, but I didn’t know them as well. I was not familiar with what the accounting department did. I wondered how would I be trained?  Would it be a smooth transition?  Would my new co-workers like me?

Technically, I not only changed positions within the company, but I changed career fields.  Of course that comes with challenges. However I am equipped with good work habits, an open mind and a commitment to continue to learn. I am fortunate to be working with a great group of people at NRHA and am passionate about what I do. I will continue to bring that same passion to the accounting department.