As the semester comes to a close, it’s time to congratulate everyone on their hard work they’ve accomplished. Whether it’s taking final exams, working on projects, or even participating in extracurricular activities, there is so much to be proud of! Some of the most hardworking students include our very own QUESTees, who have put in endless hours of work to complete projects for their clients. QUEST’s Designing Innovative Systems course (BMGT/ENES 390H) introduced projects with the Department of Defense (DoD) this semester, specifically the Navy and Air Force. With the DoD being such a large system, these projects challenged the students to understand complex problems, handle ambiguity, and push their creative boundaries.
I reached out to the course TA, Supriya Daddi (Cohort 40), to understand her perspective as an assistant for the updated course. I first asked her how the course is now structured and how they chose to allocate class time. “The class met once a week on Mondays, but each week, the students switched off with a client meeting the first hour and then had teamwork time or lecture time for the remaining period.” Daddi also mentioned that students were split into teams of 5-6 and about half of the class was working with the Navy, while the other half worked with the Air Force. As a TA for the course, Daddi found it very exciting to see the final presentations. “They showcased the tools they were able to use, and the clients were so impressed and engaged. It was truly a very rewarding experience overall!”
Cohort 41 students Shareen Ahmed and Jimmy Miller told me about their projects related to data management for the Navy. They conducted data analysis before designing a new process to make the Navy’s data system more efficient.
Overall, Ahmed enjoyed the process of using their analysis to develop a solution for their client and found it extremely rewarding. “It was definitely a lot of work and challenging at times. But, I think it really paid off, and I’m proud of our final presentation!”
Miller spoke about his gratitude for the opportunity to work with the Navy. “Working with the Navy allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of one of the biggest, most important organizations in the country. Getting a behind the scenes view of their data management systems and AI applications was fascinating!”
Next, I heard from Parsa Sedghi (Cohort 41) who worked with the Air Force’s Program Office for Mission Support. Their team was tasked to optimize their service acquisition process and provide improvements for their client. Sedghi enjoyed his experience getting to learn about the federal government as well as implementing strategies he has learned in class. “We were able to apply methodologies such as Strategy Canvases and Monte Carlo simulations. I also gained a deeper understanding of the client’s needs as well as the many intricacies working with the federal government.”
I also got a chance to speak to some students that won awards for having especially outstanding presentations! Faith LeBrun (Cohort 41) spoke about an opportunity her team received from their client. “Our champion, Michele Wolfe, was incredibly supportive and committed to our team’s success. She provided invaluable insights and guidance throughout the project. As recognition for our efforts and being the winning Navy team, she has graciously offered us a tour of the Pentagon in January!” LeBrun is absolutely thrilled and honored by this opportunity to engage with the Navy and see the impact of their work.
Regardless of which QUEST course you completed this semester, each and every one of us has definitely learned something valuable and worked extremely hard! QUEST wishes everyone a wonderful winter break and some much needed relaxation time. Until next semester, happy holidays!