We are so excited to be celebrating our QUEST graduates this December! From unforgettable team memories to impressive professional journeys ahead, these students have left their mark on the QUEST community and beyond. This month, I had the opportunity to get to know some of these excellent students and learn more about their favorite QUEST moments, their post-grad plans, and how the program shaped their college experience.

Brian Ding (Cohort 39) is a Computer Science major who has made so many wonderful QUEST memories. Ding mentions that he especially loved the very beginning: “190H orientation was super fun, even though it was on campus. It was just so cool meeting everyone and doing little team-building activities with my new team!” Ding went on to explain how 190H was his favorite QUEST class, where he learned so many soft and hard skills he still uses to this day. Now, Ding is looking forward to traveling and moving into a new city—he’s already got his sights set on Arlington, VA. While QUEST sparked his interest in collaborative work like consulting, Ding plans to stick with software engineering for now. Wherever he goes, we know he’ll thrive!

Samantha Yee (Cohort 39) is an Operations Management & Business Analytics and Information Systems double major. For Samantha, QUEST was about teamwork, growth, and friendships—both in and out of the classroom. As she looks back, she fondly remembers being part of the Cohort 39 volleyball team, “the 39 Qties”! “This past semester, we made it to the semi-finals, and the whole experience was such a fun and energetic environment,” she shared. Post-grad, Yee is planning to travel around Asia before starting her full-time role in August. She’ll be joining Capital One as a Business Analyst in the Analyst Development Program in McLean, VA. We wish you the “QUEST” of luck, but we know you don’t need it!

Next up, I spoke to Computer Science major Melvin Rajendran (Cohort 40) who loved getting to know the passionate and diverse QUEST community. When it came to classes, he recommends the Product Management elective. “It’s a unique course that gives you insight into how companies ideate, design, and launch products. Jess [Alves de Sa], the instructor, is a senior product manager herself, so her feedback was invaluable!” After graduating this winter, Rajendran is excited to move to New York! He thanks QUEST for equipping him with professional skills, strong teamwork experience, and great alumni resources. Melvin will be starting as a Software Engineer in NYC. We wish you all the best in the big city!

Last but not least, Annaika Taneja (Cohort 39), Computer Science major, spoke with us about her unique and enriching QUEST journey. When we asked her about some of her favorite QUEST memories, she looked back on her time with QUESTPress. “I loved being on QUESTPress and bonding with some of the members (Andrew, Sona, and Ananya back then!). Through QUESTPress, I was able to interview incoming students and professors and feel really close to the QUEST community.” After graduation, Taneja is planning on taking a graduation trip to Europe with friends before starting as a Software Engineer in NYC. QUEST played a key role in her post-grad journey, too. “I got my job after meeting a recruiter at the QUEST Career Fair back in 2022.” We can’t wait to see what’s in store for you!

We are so proud of all the December graduates who’ve completed their QUEST journey. Whether they’re heading off to work, traveling the world, or pursuing new adventures, we know they’ll represent QUEST with passion, drive, and excellence. If you see a familiar name in this year’s group, be sure to send them a huge congratulations—you’ll be hearing great things about them soon:

• Ijeoma Asonye (Cohort 35)
• Jack Humphreys (Cohort 37)
• Elaine Sanico (Cohort 37)
• Dahlia Andres (Cohort 38)
• Ume Habiba (Cohort 38)
• Liam Roy (Cohort 38)
• Brian Ding (Cohort 39)
• Christopher Li (Cohort 39)
• Mudit Mathur (Cohort 39)
• Manasvini Nagampalli (Cohort 39)
• Sneha Patel (Cohort 39)
• Saimadhav Sakhamuri (Cohort 39)
• Valeria Salas-Dietz (Cohort 39)
• Annaika Taneja (Cohort 39)
• Sanjana Vellanki (Cohort 39)
• Samantha Yee (Cohort 39)
• Sakshi Gholap (Cohort 40)
• Melvin Rajendran (Cohort 40)