Mary Kate Blondin

Personal Statement/Cover Letter

I am a senior in the University of Michigan Flint School of Management working
toward achieving a masters degree in accounting. I believe that this career choice will
help me to be successful in life because I will have a marketable skill that will help me to
provide for myself and the family that I hope to have someday. Aside from the
accounting degree that I am working towards, I have many other qualities and skills
that I believe will help me to succeed both academically and personally to reach my
full potential as a contributing member of society. I believe that my strong academic
background, along with my many hours of service and work experience have prepared
me well for what lies ahead.
My academic record portrays a high level of success both in high school and at
the university level. I graduated high school with honors (Summa Cum Laude) and a
grade point average of 3.92 with a class rank of third out of thirteen. I received academic
awards in History, Literature and Economics. I took Advanced Mathematics in my high
school junior and senior years, winning the High School Mental Math Competition in my
sophomore year, and received a second place award in a high school speech contest. I
also achieved a score of 27 on my ACT. At the university level, I received an Honors
Program scholarship of $1,500 per year for four years, and an academic merit scholarship
of $2,000 per year for four years, and a $500 one-time award from the School of
Management.
I spend/have spent a great deal of time in service projects tied to both my high
school and my church. I received the most praise for service to my alma mater from
teachers and fellow students than any other student. I served on the Prom Committee in
my senior year, where I managed the committees finances and was able to raise the
largest amount of money for prom in the schools recent history. I have provided artwork
for the schools holiday and special events for over six years, which includes paintings in
windows, posters, auction poster/booklet design, scenery painting for school plays, and a
mural in one of the classrooms. I continue to provide artwork by creating original
paintings for the schools annual dinner auction advertisements and booklets, and
painting sets for each years school play. I directed two Christmas plays and also worked
as a server and merchandise claim assistant at the school auction from 2008-2011. I
served as a teachers aide to Mrs. Janet Knight, the schools first grade teacher, whom I
assisted by grading papers every day after school.
In my church, I was an active youth group member from 2007-2012, which
provided me with many opportunities to serve my church. I taught Bible School for two
years, worked at a local food bank on three separate occasions, and sang in the
mother/daughter choir from winter 2010 to spring 2011. I also participated in the church
Christmas pageant for 3 years and in seasonal bake sales. I served as a member of the
church decorating committee from 2012-2013, and I am currently a member of the
Womens Group as of summer 2013.

My work experience both in a dental practice and by myself has not only helped
me to earn my own income, but gain valuable life experience. I am currently employed
as an accounting intern at Hartland Insurance Agency, Inc. I handle invoices, journal
entries, and other small transactions, as well as produce reports on accounting
information that the agency management uses to make decisions and view progress. I
also help agents quote commercial insurance and help them present these quotes in a
proposal to customers.
I was employed at Drs. Burau Family Dentistry from February 2011 to 2015. Drs.
Burau is a small dental practice owned by two dentists and was staffed by eleven other
employees including myself. At Drs. Burau I worked as a clerical assistant and a hygiene
assistant. I answered phone calls and made appointments for patients while also taking
notes for the doctors to use for treatment. I handled medical documents and also kept the
office neat, clean and organized. I helped to improve the way the office functions when I
created a format for job interviews to help make them more structured and productive,
and have conducted two job interviews using this method. I helped with periodontal
charting, x-rays and sterilization of instruments and equipment. I also created custom
deep bleaching trays for patients. Working at Drs. Burau has taught me to interact with
patients of all ages to solve problems and avoid conflicts. It has also taught me to work
with my co-workers and employers in a productive and positive way.
I also have a small income that comes from my artwork. Since 2009, I have created
and sold paintings, drawings and Christmas bulbs. While most of my artistic ability is
given to volunteer work, I am occasionally paid to paint detailed personalized Christmas
bulbs during the Christmas season, and have been commissioned to draw or paint realistic
portraits or to personalize furniture. This experience has helped me to learn to manage a
budget and busy schedule without receiving help from co-workers or employers, as I am
my own employer.
Given my academic record, my dedication to service and my experience in working
environments both on my own and under employers, I am confident that the personal
skills that I have gained will help me to succeed in the future. I strive to improve every
environment that I work, study or live in and hope to continue to do so once I earn my
degree in accounting. I plan to give part of my time to service by working for nonprofit
companies such as my parish. I am confident that I can achieve my goals because of the
skills I have gained from my past experiences.