Cohort 36 is taking QUEST Conference preparation by storm as the final day looms in the distance. All the teams are excited and nervous, and we can’t wait to see their presentations on December 8th!

Ian Rosenthal and Kunal Parikh of Cohort 36 are on track with their team in regards to preparation. The team is working with D&H Distributing – a middleman company that works in the electronics industry. The project entails creating an efficient database that stores information about vendors and contracts for all the buyers who work there.

Rosenthal (center) and Parikh (right center) with their D&H Distributing teammates

Their team is exceeding expectations when it comes to preparing for the conference – both Rosenthal and Parikh stated that BMGT/ENES490H helps them a lot. As they are conducting interviews and gathering data, the team is creating a QUEST-worthy solution!

In the data analysis field, a fellow Cohort 36 member Sally Zhao and her team are working with BAE Systems, a defense contractor. Unlike the interviews that Rosenthal and Parikh have conducted, Zhao and her teammates are strictly working with data to decrease the margin of error in the production process at BAE. Zhao shared that they are enjoying their project to the fullest extent and are swiftly generating solutions for the conference!

Zhao (left) with her BAE Systems teammates

Also in the tech realm is Rohit Tiwari and his team working with Tulkoff Food Products, a company that creates unique condiments and dressings. As stated by team member Andrew Sien, “They make a great horseradish sauce!” Tiwari mentioned that their project is quite data heavy – with data integration as their main concern in creating a new truck scheduling process. They are currently creating a software infrastructure that can maintain the schedules of shipments.

All of these teams are doing amazing work, just like the rest of their BMGT/ENES409H classmates. Along with their updates on conference preparation, these teams provided some advice for future cohorts:

1. It’s okay to feel nervous! Don’t be scared since your team will always be there to support you.
2. Meetings are extremely important and make the process faster for receiving information.
3. Follow-up emails are a MUST!
4. Don’t just play to your strengths. Discover and learn new skills with the support of your teammates.
5. Confrontation isn’t always bad – it can lead to progress (but still be respectful!).

We wish Cohort 36 the best as their conference preparation is coming together. I personally cannot wait to see the finished results at the conference in December!