Having just admitted Cohorts 39 and 40, it’s fitting to reflect on how QUEST has evolved over the years. I was able to talk to four different alumni, ranging from Cohort 2 to Cohort 29 about their experiences in the QUEST program. It was evident that while specific programming and courses may have changed, the same impact remains.
Vikas Majahan from Cohort 2 was a student in QUEST during the period it was under the IBM grant and was called IBM-TQ. For those unaware, the QUEST program was formed in 1992, with a 1-million dollar grant from IBM as a part of their Total Quality Management (TQM) initiative. Majahan entered the program as an engineering major, and QUEST helped him realize that while his skillset was analytical, he could also use those skills in accounting/business. Following his graduation, he began working as the Assistant Director of IT for the Smith School of Business. After leaving this role, he gained experience in tech and cybersecurity-focused roles at companies such as Microstrategy, PwC, AARP, and a cybersecurity consulting company called Likeminds Consulting. Majahan began working for the American Red Cross in 2015 and is currently the Chief Information Security Officer.
Vikas Majahan (Cohort 2)
It was very interesting to hear about how QUEST has changed since Majahan was a student, mostly due to the impact of technology. He spoke about how during his BMGT/ENES490H capstone project his team worked with AlliedSignal (a since acquired company) to digitize their information and create a website for them. Majahan said that “[his] generation of students were the first ones transitioning to online presentations,” whereas current students take PowerPoint or Google Slides as a given. Additionally, I learned that while we currently have the QUEST Lab, in the early years of QUEST there was the “IBM Teaching Theatre.” Majahan explained that it was comprised of a computer lab where students could work along with a custom-built classroom where QUEST classes were held.
Despite these changes, it appears that QUEST’s learning outcomes have remained firm. One of the biggest takeaways Majahan had from the program was learning to work in teams and how to “harness your leadership skills.” Specifically, he found it very impactful that QUEST was set up to bring together various majors and taught students how to present and talk with various industry leaders. Something that still sticks with Majahan today is a book from a QUEST course called Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which is focused around concepts of quality “in a way that was very personal.” Majahan spoke about how he still uses these concepts of quality in his role as a Chief Information Security Officer and in his own personal life. He expanded, saying that concepts of quality inspire him to “always strive to learn more and do better,” whether that be as a manager, with his family, or his community. When I asked Majahan if there is anything he would like to share with QUEST students, he said to “realize that what you are learning is going to carry you forward in the future,” and to let that change your “approach to the way you work and live.”
Another alumnus I had the pleasure of speaking with was Brian Bender who was an accounting major in Cohort 5. Following graduation, he worked as a consultant for government clients for about 10 years. After working in consulting, he switched into industry-focused positions, gaining experience in Controller and Director of Finance roles. Like Majahan, Bender was a student when the program was under the IBM contract. When I asked Bender how QUEST has changed since he was a student, he spoke about how QUEST has grown in terms of size, and now we have two cohorts per year, whereas his graduation class only had one cohort. Additionally, Bender spoke about how he is glad to see that there is more focus on initiatives to promote community, such as student organizations (like QUESTPress) and the study abroad trips, which were not offered yet when he was a student.
Brian Bender (Cohort 5)
One of Bender’s top QUEST memories was his orientation and getting to meet everyone. He also really enjoyed his capstone project, when his team worked with Sweetheart Cup Company to re-engineer their bendy straws! For Bender, the projects in QUEST were really a highlight of the whole experience, and he shared that the skills gained apply to his post-graduation career. He spoke about how QUEST does a great job at exposing students to multidisciplinary teams and taught him that “your audience is not just your customer but also your team.” Similarly, Bender said that the concepts in the cross-cultural course (similar to the current version of 390H) taught him that depending on your client, you need to change the way you interact and deliver your work.
Luckily, Bender has remained involved in QUEST following his graduation. Specifically, he has organized the alumni tailgate for the homecoming game for about eight years. He also was a member of the alumni board, which advised the Quality Guild on various initiatives and decisions involving curriculum. Bender shared that he is looking forward to attending the 30th Anniversary event this fall, especially because he enjoyed reuniting with many alumni and faculty at the 25th Anniversary Gala in 2017!
Another alumnus who has remained very involved in the QUEST program is Danny Laurence, who was a computer science major in Cohort 19. He shared that QUEST has been very influential on his career. Directly after graduating, Laurence began working as a Consultant for Dante Inc., which was a position he secured after connecting with a recruiter at a QUEST networking event. After a couple of years working at Dante, Laurence began working at Booz Allen Hamilton after a QUEST alumna reached out to him about an opportunity. Currently, Laurence works as the Director of Engineering for Team Engine, which was another opportunity he secured through another QUEST alumnus and friend.
Danny Laurence (Cohort 19)
Laurence shared, “All these years later, QUEST still has not ended for me.” Most prominently, he remains involved in QUEST as the instructor for the web development elective (BMGT408C: Quality Web Development in Business). Laurence was involved in the first iterations of the course during the time he was a student, as he was a TA while Dr. Bailey was the main instructor. Laurence has also been a big help to QUEST with various IT decisions and developments. For example, he wrote the website that QUEST previously used to accept and rate student applications. Additionally, the QUEST directory was a collaboration between Laurence and Dr. Bailey. Dr. Bailey wrote the first version, and Laurence helped with further iterations and maintenance. Aside from sharing his technical expertise, Laurence shared that he still really enjoys attending various professional and social events, such as participating in the alumni mentorship program.
One of his favorite memories from QUEST was when his BMGT/ENES490H team won the Outstanding Capstone Award. His team worked with Spectrum Foods, which was a first-time client that semester, making them “the underdog.” Laurence explained that it was more of a supply chain scope, which pushed him out of his comfort zone as a computer science major. One of the main values of the project was “getting more exposure to business questions and [learning to] cut things out that don’t actually affect the client.” Additionally, the community aspect of QUEST was something Laurence valued, and one of his favorite memories was his senior sendoff and when his grade explored DC afterward.
When I asked Laurence about how QUEST has changed since he was a student, he said that there have been adjustments in the curriculum, as well as changes with faculty and staff. However, one of the things that he appreciates about QUEST is that the Quality Guild has always been very willing to implement students’ ideas and has kept their focus on “experimentation and not being afraid to fail.”
The most recent alumna I spoke with was Celine Moarkech, who was a Data Analytics in Biotechnology major (individual studies) in Cohort 29. Since graduating in 2020, Moarkech began a rotational program at BD called EDGE, which is focused on technology and global services. EDGE is a three-year rotational program, and Moarkech is currently in her second rotation (and year) of the program, working as a Salesforce Solution Analyst. Outside of work, she recently got her certification as a personal trainer and is hoping to begin teaching fitness classes soon!
Celine Moarkech (Cohort 19)
When Moarkech was a student in QUEST, she was very involved in QUESTPress and served as the co-lead during her senior year. One of her favorite QUEST memories was from the semester she took BMGT/ENES490H when her cohort celebrated after their QUEST conference! It was very cute to hear about how they all agreed to do a sleepover in the QUEST lab after the conference and brought a bunch of snacks. Additional memories that made her QUEST experience so special were “having a bunch of her cohort over on random weeknights to do game nights and PowerPoint nights.” Moarkech said that mentoring her last semester “was a great way to close out [her] QUEST experience, as [she] was able to teach [her] mentees the love for the QUEST community.”
While her QUEST cohort may be dispersed geographically, they still make efforts to stay in touch. Last week, Moarkech and other alumni in NYC had a watch party for the Maryland vs. Michigan basketball game. Additionally, 17 people in her cohort are planning a beach trip for this summer!
Something that makes the QUEST community so impactful is the willingness of alumni to help current students and fellow alumni. Thank you to all of the alumni who continue to give back to the program, including the wonderful alumni who I interviewed! We look forward to celebrating 30 years of QUEST with you in November!