Category Archives: Student Spotlight

QUEST Students Tackle The Unilever Case Competition

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In mid-February, Unilever came to campus with a radical idea for a case competition: analyze the current Unilever product portfolio and create a new product line for the company that encompasses the Unilever values and connects with their Sustainable Living Plan.

Multiple teams competed, and it’s no surprise that each finalist in the case competition had at least one QUEST student on the team. I was able to speak to the members of the top three teams to get their opinion on the case competition and what they believe contributed to their success.

Derek Xiao is a junior and member of Q28, Sameera Polavarapu is a junior and member of Q27, and Jeff Zhao is a junior and member of Q28.

Jeff Zhao and his teammates (also QUEST students): Mingkai Xu (Q27), Joyce Zhou (Q29), and Megha Reddy (Q27).

1. Did you think the subject matter of this case competition was different from those you have done in the past? If yes, then how so?

Derek Xiao

I think this case competition was completely different than case comps I have done in the past because the prompt was a blank canvas that allowed for a lot of creativity. The prompt the teams were given was to analyze Unilever’s current product portfolio and introduce a new product that connected with their Sustainable Living Plan (SLP).

Sameera Polavarapu
My team is grateful to have been in the finals of this competition last year as well and the structure and content of the case was definitely similar. Both years, Unilever did a great job of using the case competition to teach company values to students.

Jeff Zhao

Definitely! In hindsight, this case competition’s focus was definitely focused on brand management and creativity of idea as opposed to the nitty-gritty details of the business plan and execution. Unilever as a company also has a huge focus on corporate social responsibility with its established “Unilever Sustainable Living Plan” and Bright Future platform. This added a unique “non-profit” twist on the case.

2. How did your team approach the problem you were given?

Derek Xiao

We approached the problem by diving into their 2016 annual report. This gave us a great understanding of Unilever’s segment performance, which brands they were expanding, and the mission of SLP. While one team member parsed through the 10-k, the other two members were gathering external market data about consumer trends in packaged goods. Ultimately, we leveraged this information during our ideation phase to capitalize on the current direction of the market.

Sameera Polavarapu

The prompt we were given asked us to design a new, purpose-driven brand for the Unilever portfolio, specifically one that followed Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan. Our team’s approach was to first find a gap in the portfolio, which we were able to do by creating a brand map. Next, we identified market trends within that gap and tried to align them with current issues we are passionate about. This allowed us to build a current, cohesive brand with a core purpose. The result was GLOW, a premium skincare line that supports the women’s rights movement by sourcing from solely female-owned, sustainable companies.

Jeff Zhao

The prompt was to introduce a purpose-driven brand to add to Unilever’s product portfolio. Instead of the traditional problem dissolution, we focused on the issues and social problems that our team members were passionate about and then focused on a product around that cause.

3. Were you able to leverage any knowledge from QUEST when working through the case?

Derek Xiao

I think my experience in QUEST had the most pay-off when designing our slide deck and preparing our presentation. At some point during our ideation phase, all the parts fell together, and we realized we had a winning product. However, having a great idea and communicating your idea are two separate beasts altogether. Thankfully, we were able to pull from our design and presentation experiences from QUEST successfully communicate our product and business model to the judges.

Sameera Polavarapu

Our team decided to enter our submission pretty last minute, so rather than spending the last moments fine tuning, we were rapidly working to craft a smart, well-thought-out brand.

I think that QUEST has really taught us to stay level headed at any moment, even when things seem stressful. The endurance and experience that QUEST has given us, whether that be from working in teams or designing slide decks, was at the core of our success.

Jeff Zhao

Of course. My favorite QUEST workshop was “How to Present 101.” Being able to build an aesthetically pleasing presentation and present a convincing argument are arguably even more important skills than coming up with the solution itself.

4. What do you think made your team so successful?

Derek Xiao

Our team was successful because we were passionate about our product. We had found a product that the market clearly needed, and we pushed each other to continue thinking outside the box when building the business model.

Sameera Polavarapu

My teammate, Didac Hormiga (Q28), and I both have relevant experience regarding case comps and marketing that was really valuable to our team in this competition. My internships have all been brand strategy based, and Didac is an entrepreneur. Using our collective knowledge, I think we were able to come up with an idea that is really primed for the market we were given to tackle.

Jeff Zhao

Not taking the case or ourselves too serious. Every meeting we were joking around and throwing around crazy ideas. This led to our team feeling extremely comfortable around each other and helped us end up with a pretty cool presentation and idea.

5. What advice to you have to other students in QUEST about approaching case comps?

Derek Xiao

I don’t know if this applies for all cases, but for prompts around introducing or changing a product, it is vitally important to understand the prompt before jumping into ideation. We spent a full 4-6 hours just reading through research before even beginning to throw out ideas. This way you will have an understanding of the customer needs and can build around them. Once you have your idea, storyboard out your deck, and write down the main point for each slide. It’s an investment that will pay off 10x moving forward in helping to build a cohesive story.

Sameera Polavarapu

My advice would be to find a great team, don’t be too afraid of the results, make it fun, and just jump in! QUEST teaches us so much about working efficiently in teams, working under pressure, and thinking strategically—all skills that have prepared us really well for opportunities like case competitions.

Jeff Zhao

Be thorough and diligent with every single aspect of the case: budget, financials, go-to-market strategy, pricing, etc. Always generate ideas in 5 and take the top 3. Design is important. Telling a convincing story is just as important. Anticipate the questions and reflect that in your appendix. Ask yourself, “What can I do in 5 minutes to take this presentation to the next level?” at the end of every work session.

 

 

Where Are QUEST Students Going Over Spring Break?

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Every student can agree that we cannot wait for spring break! Spring break is week-long relaxation period from schoolwork, early morning wakeups, and time commitments. This week, I went around QUEST asking students what their plans are for spring break!

Traveling

Roger Mao (Q29) exclaimed, “I am going to Barcelona with a friend for spring break! I am super excited to moped around the city, eat cultural foods, and of course watch the FC game! Also, on my way back to America, my friend and I are going to visit the blue lagoon in Iceland which I am psyched see!”

Jack Sturtevant (Q29) said that he’ll be visiting the Bay Area with QUEST to Silicon Valley. “I cannot wait to visit Facebook and eat some of the famous Clam Chowder and sourdough bread from Boudin. Thanks QUEST!”

Giving Back

Shanaya Mullan (Q29) explained that she is going to Houston, Texas for Harvey relief. “I am excited to help repair a community that has lost so much to this natural disaster.”

Family

Haley Greenspan (Q29) said that she’s just hanging at home for spring break and spending time with family and friends. “I really miss my bed and home cooked meals, so I’m basically counting down the days for break to start!”

Adam Hostetter (Q29) expressed that he cannot wait for spring break! “My sister is supposed to have her baby this week so when I go home I plan on spending my time with her and my newborn nephew! I even bought him a Terp beanie-baby!”

Spring Break

Whether QUEST students are traveling somewhere cool or just taking the time to relax, everyone cannot wait for spring break!

 

Reflecting on QUEST’s First Winter Orientation

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QUEST Camp (or Orientation) is the first introduction students have to the culture of quality and innovation within QUEST. In only two days, teams are formed, relationships are made, and pilot products are pitched. All these activities prepare the students for not just 190H, but the program as a whole.

I spoke to four students who recently went to QUEST Camp to gain a better understanding of how they feel it’s shaped their experience so far. Cece and Andrew are both members of Q26 and are mentors for Q30 this spring. Carly and Barret are both members of Q30 and just started 190H this spring.

Carly (third from right) with her team and mentor!

Questions for the Q30 Students

What pushed you to apply to the QUEST program?

Barret – I wanted to be surrounded by some of the most ambitious and knowledgeable students at UMD and use this community to grow my personal skill set.

Carly – Everyone who I had met at the business school had been driven and had already gotten heavily involved with multiple organizations within Smith. I had also been searching for a community of people to be with that would inspire me to think outside of the box and talk about important issues. QUEST seemed like the perfect opportunity to meet those kinds of people and really expand my way of thinking.

When you first heard about QUEST camp, what were you expecting?

Barret – A bunch of team building exercises and ice breakers. I was excited to meet my team and my cohort, but I thought the ice breakers were going to be cheesy and repetitive.

Carly – I was expecting a lot of ice breakers and tents when I first heard about QUEST camp. Also, we were the first cohort that was going to be going in the winter, and I figured we were going to be absolutely freezing and outside the whole day. I think that most of my cohort knew very little about QUEST camp so we would be surprised when we got there. None of us were expecting to get so close to our team so fast or to be inspired by design thinking within the first hour of being there.

What was the most exciting part of the experience?

Barret – My team, Q Debut, won the pitch competition with our idea Drop Stop, which is a rubber lip that is placed on the end of gas nozzles to ensure that no gas is spilled onto the ground. This helps the environment and then saves money. I never win anything, so it was nice to see our team achieve some early success.

Barret presents during the pilot products presentations

Carly – The most exciting part about QUEST camp for me was learning about the values of all the people in my team. I was surprised that most of us valued time management and careful planning which made me excited to enter into group projects with them. I’ve never been in a group project where I really thought that everyone as going to put all of their effort into it. I’m excited to work with my team and learn more about areas I know absolutely nothing about.

What part of the camp pushed you the farthest out of your comfort zone?

Barret – The improv. I hate dancing/acting in front of other people, but my team just went for it full speed, and we had a great time. The activity definitely brought us closer together as a team and might have helped contribute to our success in the pitch competition.

Carly – One problem my team really struggled with was coming up with problems before we came up with solutions. QUEST really challenges you to go beyond surface level thinking and find the root cause of problems before trying to solve them. This is something I hadn’t thought about before and definitely has challenged me to reflect more on my day-to-day life. Our mentor constantly kept putting us back on the right track when we would get derailed.

How do you think the QUEST camp experience is going to help you as you move forward through the program?

Barret – QUEST is all about the people, and whether or not you have a good experience can depend on whether or not you have a good team. My team is closer because of camp, and I hope this carries into the semester.

Carly – As we move forward into the semester, I know that I have already learned the basic idea of QUEST from the days spent at QUEST camp. It was made extremely clear to us that everyone who has been through the 190H-490H experience (our mentors) has grown immensely from it. The professors that joined us at QUEST camp were so excited to welcome us into the program and appeared extremely passionate about the work they do here. It’s clear that the program really impacts students, and QUEST camp has definitely laid the foundation for that learning.

 

Questions for the Mentors

What do you think of the staggered QUEST camp model (excursions in the summer & winter)?

Cece – As a member of Q26, I experienced the old model. It was nice to be able to spend part of a day with our sister cohort Q25. However, during the semester, my cohort, including myself, felt detached from QUEST. I think this new model allows for there to be a natural flow and connection between what is learned at QUEST camp and what is experienced during 190H.

Cece (bottom middle) with her team

Andrew – I think that this model worked out well, given the circumstances! I think it provides the new spring cohort with a smoother transition into their QUEST journey with 190H following shortly after. Some of the activities had to be changed around for weather-related reasons, but I thought that the new activities (i.e. improvisations instead of high ropes, bonfire inside instead of outside) that replaced the summer ones were still effective and fun in their rights.

What was the hardest part about going through QUEST camp as a mentor?

Cece – As a team member and participant of QUEST, the activities are structured to help you break down barriers and build bonds with your team. As a mentor, you have to understand and recognize that. Therefore, I had to determine what my role should be in every activity to ensure I was assisting but not partaking in their QUEST camp experience as if it was my own. It was hard to find that line and make sure not to cross it.

Andrew – It was hard to hold myself back from acting like a team member, especially during the pilot products activity. Having gone through 190H, 390H, 490H, and other courses having team-related projects, I was caught by surprise at the difference the role of a mentor entails rather than being simply a team member. However, it soon became an easy adjustment to overcome, learning to leverage my previous experiences and insights to these situations.

In what way did your team exceed your expectations?

Cece – I worked with my team in brainstorming ideas for the Pilot Products but let them build the idea by themselves. So it wasn’t until the following day that I saw their full presentation, and it was better than I expected. The skit was funny and well planned and they communicated important information in a succinct way. It was better than my 190H team and our “nano-fibers.”

Andrew – Letting the team take most of the initiative to develop their product, I was surprised and excited to see the level of aptitude that this team had, both individually and collectively as a team. They developed ideas and built off each other’s idea for what they presented at QUEST camp without any knowledge of the lessons they’ll learn in 190H. In addition, they all indicated that each of them shared an attribute of effective and clear communication, something that will be vital to their success with the QUEST Honors Program, and it clearly showed when I was and wasn’t with them. 

How do you think the QUEST camp experience is going to help you as you move forward as a mentor?

Cece – It helped me begin to understand what my role is as a mentor. Making sure to be helpful but not helping will take a while to learn. It also helped me build a bond with my team. Playing the different games and getting more comfortable was important for my team to experience and myself as a mentor.

Andrew – The opportunity to meet my team and see how they function together provided me a clear idea of my role and position I need to have as their mentor this semester. Being able to see them work together as a team in a stress-free, grade-free environment provided me insight into better understanding the backgrounds of each team member, as well as served as a basis for which all my mentees can improve upon for the semester.

Andrew and his mentee, Kevin, during Improv

QUEST Students Spend Winter Break Traveling the World

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Many students look forward to winter break to be done with final exams and back at home catching up on TV shows and drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace. The much needed rest that has seemed an eternity away for the last month is finally in reach. With this said, many others get excited for the opportunity of no school to be busy in a different way. Whether that was being in Iceland spotting icy mountains or hanging out in the desert with camels, you know that QUEST students couldn’t sit still. Here are some of QUEST’s students’ highlights from their adventures over break:

 

Some of our QUEST students got to spend even more time together embracing QUEST ideals on the QUEST to Spain trip. They got to check out design thinking and the process behind it all over Barcelona and Madrid. Ari Riske from Cohort 29 loved getting to know more people in the QUEST program as well as all about Spain’s culture. Ari said, “Design was everywhere. We explored it in the architecture of hospitals and the Sagrada Familia as well as in wineries.”

 

Doron Tadmor Taking in the Views

Q29’s Doron Tadmor spent about half of his break backpacking through Chile. He said that discovering the affordable flight tickets opened the door to practicing his Spanish (being that he is a Spanish minor) as well as visiting a startup incubator in Santiago. Doron recounted that in the Patagonia region in Torres del Paine, “The views were by far the most amazing [I’d] seen. Mountains and the bluest glaciers surrounded [me] and the weather changed every five seconds from rain to sun to snow to hail.”

 

QUEST Students Together in Israel

Birthright also led some of our QUEST students on a memory-filled adventure through Israel. Melissa Maurer (Q29) said, “My favorite part was Tel Aviv because it was fascinating to see such a modern city unlike any of the other places we went in Israel. It has a lot of fun things to do. The Dead Sea was so cool because you were always floating and had to make a conscious effort to stay vertical.”

 

Chineme Obiefune (Q25) and a few other QUEST students found themselves in Iceland. Calling it their own QUEST adventure, Chineme described his trip to Iceland as “an experience that took [me] out of [my] comfort zone in many different ways. The temperature felt like it was below freezing and the roads basically had no speed limit, but the biggest thing was the environment. Everywhere you looked it was clear that the structure of all the buildings and the products that were being produced were influenced by the environment and the culture of Iceland.” He advises any future visitors to Iceland to “bundle up and make sure that you go with friends because there will be a lot of long car rides during your stay.”

 

There you have it. Some of the wildest adventures our students embarked on this past winter break. Get inspired and go on your own trip soon! I’m sure any of these people would argue that it’s worth the long plane rides any day!

Four QUEST Students Selected as Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars

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Four QUEST seniors, Chineme Obiefune (Q25), Sarina Haryanto (Q26), Miriam Silton (Q26), and Cece Ukejianya (Q26), were selected as 2017-2018 Philip Merrill Scholars. This award is bestowed to only three students per college and recognizes students for their outstanding achievements throughout their undergraduate career at UMD. Additionally, as part of the award, winners are able to recognize their mentors and teachers from K-12 and college who have helped them get to where they are today. The QUEST student winners represented a few of those chosen from the Robert H. Smith School of Business and A. James Clark School of Engineering. I had the recent pleasure of interviewing three of the award winners from QUEST: Chineme, Sarina, and Miriam.

Sarina Haryanto (Q26) and her mentors at the Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars Event

How did you get selected for the Presidential Scholars Award?

 Sarina: While I don’t know the exact details of how I was selected as a Presidential Scholar, I am aware that selection is determined through a nomination process. I received a letter from the Office of the Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Studies towards the end of the spring 2017 semester. Thank you to the individual or group in the Smith School who nominated me as a Presidential Scholar. I appreciate the recognition of my academic excellence and engagement in the Smith School. In addition to connecting with my peers in the QUEST and Smith communities, I believe that developing relationships with the wonderful and supportive Smith faculty and staff since my freshman year played a major role in this award.

Miriam: In the spring semester of 2017, I was notified by my advisor that I should apply for this award. After seeing what it was for, it was mainly for honoring mentors and teachers who have helped me along the way, and I don’t think they get enough recognition most of the time. So it was an opportunity for me to put in some work to do the application, and in the end, having [the teachers] know they’re appreciated, as well as providing a scholarship from my school to come to the University of Maryland. I was fortunate enough to be chosen for the award and help benefit a bunch of people as well.

Chineme: I got selected for the program by being nominated by the business school. To be completely honest, I don’t know about the specifics of the nomination process, but I work in the Smith Office of Undergraduate Studies with Dean Mullins so I have a feeling that may have had something to do with it.

Can you tell me about the teachers/professors that have influenced your academic career? 

Chineme Obiefune (Q25) and his mentors at the Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars Event

Sarina: In fifth grade, Miss Stuart nurtured my joy of reading and writing. I recall wandering around the media center and leaving with a bundle of books (Magic Tree House and the Alice series were some of my favorite reads!). I also remember reading The Phantom Tollbooth and writing my first “research paper” on grizzly bears in her class. Last year in SIF, Dr. Kirsch encouraged me to explore how business can create social and environmental impact. I loved engaging in SIF class discussions and learning new concepts that challenge my perspectives. Dr. Kirsch also provided my SIF team the opportunity to present our social enterprise ecosystems paper at a research conference in Italy.

Miriam: The K-12 mentor I chose to honor was my Calculus teacher from high school. She was an engineer for a few years and then switched career paths to become a high school teacher. She managed to make Calculus fun for me which stopped me from hating math. She encouraged me to pursue independent study Calculus 3, which helped prepare me for college, as well as showed me that women can go into engineering. She also provided the insight into the possibility of becoming a high school teacher or college lecturer in order to give back to the community in the same way.

Chineme: Life can be challenging, but I’m blessed to have mentors that I can look up to and consult for advice when it comes to making big decisions. Ms. Irene Bademosi was one of my strongest supporters in high school. When people underestimated my potential, she made sure I never undervalued myself. She taught me to hustle for what is mine and to be grateful for all the blessings that I receive. Here at Maryland, Dr. Pamela Armstrong helped to give my career some direction. I came to college not knowing where I fit in the world of business, but after joining the QUEST program and working with Dr. Armstrong, my path became much clearer. She exposed me to design thinking and the importance of empathy in business and modeled these behaviors in all aspects of her life. Both Ms. Bademosi and Dr. Armstrong have made valuable contributions to my life. I’m still figuring a lot of things out, but with their guidance, I am confident that I will be able to navigate the multitude of decisions awaiting me in the years to come.

How has this award influenced you academically, professionally, personally, etc.?

Miriam Silton (Q26) and her mentors at the Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars Event

Sarina: This award has made me realize and better appreciate the role of educators in my life. All too often people focus on the result rather than the process. For example, college students can be obsessed with grades. I value academic excellence and am interested in graduate school, so of course, I strive to do well in my classes. However, exploring things out of curiosity and intrinsic motivation is so much more fulfilling than “checking the box” for required classes.

Learning and sharing knowledge outside of the classroom goes a long way. My mentors have inspired me to embrace lifelong learning and explore a different kind of supply chain, “the education supply chain.”

Miriam: It was nice to be recognized in a way that gave credit to those mentors who’ve helped me get to where I am today. It made me stop and think and really look back and think who I want to pick out and honor. So by looking back and thinking of all the teachers that I’ve had and how much I’ve grown since first grade walking into public school for the first time, it really made me appreciate things, especially at this point in my college career as I’m getting ready to graduate and move forward and provide mentorship to other people.

Chineme: This award has been most influential personally. It’s forced me to reevaluate myself and figure out how to improve all aspects of my life. The people that spoke at the luncheon were smart, poised, and passionate. Listening to them speak and receiving this award was another reminder of how much more I need to learn and experience in life to truly call myself successful.

 

Congratulations to these QUEST seniors for being selected for the award. A comprehensive list of the awardees from each college can be found here.

Spirit of Maryland Award goes to QUEST’s own Cece Ukejianya!

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Cece Ukejianya (Q26)

 

One thing is certain about Maryland Terps, we have A LOT of school pride! You can count on finding someone wearing red, black, or gold, and there is always a new sacrifice for our favorite turtle, Testudo! While we have a very spirited campus, QUEST is proud to say that Cece Ukejianya of Cohort 26 has the most Maryland pride! Yes, that’s right, Cece recently won the Spirit of Maryland Award!

Each year, faculty and administration nominate students who they feel best represent our university for the Spirit of Maryland award. After nomination, students are invited to apply for this award. Through this application, administration chooses ten finalists who participate in a series of interviews and events. Subsequently, two winners are chosen. Specifically for Cece, Dean Victor Mullins of the Smith Business School recognized her talents and recommended her for this prestigious honor.

The Spirit of Maryland Award not only celebrates who has the most Maryland pride, but also recognizes the student who best embodies our University’s goals in terms of academics, extracurriculars, and leadership. “I was in disbelief when I won just because there are so many great leaders on this campus who I look up to for a certain skill or character trait that I one day hope to embody,” expressed Cece.  While she said it was a nice surprise, Cece points out that “no leader does what he or she does for recognition, rather any true leader does what he or she does because of their passion, drive, and motivation to better a cause he or she believes in and finds enjoyment through benefiting.” Cece says that while it is great to see how you are impacting the community, you know you have truly touched others when they “recognize how you specifically contribute to society. That’s how you know what you did was real.”

Cece is part of the academic committee in the Deans Student Advisory Council (DSAC), the President of ABA, Vice President of the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Honors Fraternity, Sargent of Arms for Phi Chi Business Fraternity, and Chaplin of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

We are so proud of Cece for all that she has accomplished. We know that after her graduation this spring, she will continue to demonstrate quality leadership within her community, and we wish her good luck in her future endeavors.

Cece with President Loh after being awarded the Spirit of Maryland award

Graduation: T-Minus Seven Months

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Writing this article was hard. When I offered to do an article about taking 490H, on being a senior in general, I had no plans for it. But how hard could it be? It was just a reflection. I had thoughts every day, surely some of them were fit for public consumption. Needless to say, it wasn’t that easy.

When writing reflections about major life events the natural inclination is to ask: What has changed? What have I learned? What story can I tell that others will benefit from? It’s human nature to crave narrative, to want to wrap things up neatly with a bow. It’s also what made writing this article so difficult. Nothing about my senior year thus far, or even my undergraduate career, can be neatly summarized into a 400 word fable.

My college experience has not been a series of epiphanies. It’s been like drawing a map, but making it entirely from walking around and stumbling into things. Eventually, I got enough parts that I could start to pick out patterns, could start to guess what would be around the corner and how I would handle it. It’s the same confidence that seemed like sorcery to me when I was a freshman – the knowledge that if college hasn’t killed me yet it’s probably not going to, and that I’ve got a mean left hook if it wants to try. To all the underclassmen reading this, I am aware of how fake that sounds; I didn’t think I’d ever get here either.

The unfortunate thing about college, about life, is that sometimes the only way to learn is by doing. I can tell you about my map all day: go to office hours, never eat fish from the dining hall, and call your parents more and don’t lie to them, or yourself, about how many vegetables you’re eating. But, ultimately, college is a build your own adventure story – you can’t base it only off what other people tell you. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in college it’s this: your map, your wisdom, your internal best practices are never going to look like anyone else’s. Your goals and fears and idea of a good Thursday night are something you get to decide, and there’s no “right” answer. There’s no perfect job, no perfect education, just opportunities to do good work. The amount of time I’ve spent agonizing over what I “actually” want has never gotten me anywhere – so just take your best guess and keep doing to the work. The rest will come with time.

QUEST & Constellation: Thoughts on the Site Visit

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In early November, a group of QUEST students had the opportunity to visit Constellation in Baltimore and get a tour of the facility while talking to some higher ups in the organizations. The following is a short recap from some students who were on the visit and their thoughts about the entire experience.

How did this visit change your opinion of Constellation?

Jeff Zhao (Q28)

I originally thought that Constellation was just an energy provider to commercial homes, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Constellation is actually the nation’s largest supplier of electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. A huge part of their operations takes place in their trading group (where Ricky Wilson, our QUEST Alumni Board Chair works) that hedges against price fluctuations by selling and buying units of megawatts/hr. The parent company, Exelon, is the nation’s largest power generation company as well! This site visit really opened my eyes to understanding the size of Constellation and its parent company Exelon.

Brian Yuwen (Q28)

I didn’t really know what Constellation did prior to the visit. I knew that they provided energy, but I learned that they aren’t just an energy provider—they also provide risk assessments about the energy industry so that Exelon’s energy providers know when and where to supply energy. Also, the office is really nice.

Michael Vetter (Q28)

I originally thought that Constellation was just an energy producer and supplier. However, I did not realize that the company is only focused on wholesale and retail. Many of their employees just focus on trading and finance, which fit my career goals more closely. I now see them as a possible future employer.

 

How do you think the QUEST tools and mission align with the work that Constellation does?

Jeff Zhao

QUEST’s dedication to quality really mirrors Constellation’s mission to ensure quality and reliable energy to customers. The most prominent QUEST tool that I saw was “data-backed recommendations” where the trading group takes into account the root causes that affect electricity prices and aggregates large amounts of data to really be able to accurately send competitive prices to its consumers.

Brian Yuwen

Constellation’s work goes towards providing service, results, and recommendations for Exelon, which aligns with QUEST principles.

Michael Vetter

Constellation is constantly working in multi-disciplinary teams and combines quantifiable data with qualitative information as employees know how to speak both technically and conversationally with each other and with customers. Thus, they work very similarly to QUEST. Also, when they acquire new companies, they usually re-design their systems, which is one of the three pillars of QUEST.

 

In what ways do you think Constellation is an innovator in comparison to other players in their industry?

 Jeff Zhao

Constellation has a smaller “VC” group dedicated to up-and-coming companies in the energy business. We weren’t able to meet many people from that team, so I wasn’t able to really gleam anything else from that.

Brian Yuwen

I don’t know much about Constellation’s competition, but their trading floor is pretty neat. I think the general atmosphere of the office implies that they care about moving toward more collaborative spaces and innovative practices. I’m pretty sure we saw a group conducting a stand-up meeting when we got in that morning.

Michael Vetter

Constellation’s main source of innovation comes from its acquisitions. That is why their main innovative unit is their venture capital department that searches for disruptive start-ups that will change their systems and business model.

 

What other strategies do you think Constellation could employ to remain a leader in their industry?

Jeff Zhao

In order to remain competitive and continue to innovate, Constellation should continue to look into new energy generation methods outside coal and fossil fuels such as wind and solar as the world continues to move in a “greener” direction.

Thanks to Ricky Wilson (Q6) and Constellation for hosting QUEST!

Soon-to-be Alumni Feature: Julia Lomakina and Rohan Bajaj

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As the semester approaches the stage when students are completing projects and beginning to start studying for finals, for many, it’s a time when they are thinking about the soon-approaching winter break. While some people will be using this as a time to rest up for the upcoming spring semester, some students will be celebrating an important milestone: graduation.

Recently, I was able to catch up with two Q26 students/soon-to-be-alumni, Julia Lomakina and Rohan Bajaj. Both students are graduating a semester early compared to their peers and also have exciting plans in store for after they graduate next month.

 

Rohan Bajaj (Q26)

Julia Lomakina (Q26)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s something that you cherish from your time at UMD?

Julia:

I cherish all of the wonderful humans I have met during my time at UMD. From rampaging around College Park bars with friends to pulling all nighters for projects, I’ve loved every moment of it. This school also gives you incredible opportunities whether educational, career, or social. I️ am so happy I️ decided to come to UMD – no regrets!

Rohan:

I cherish the people I met here. Fellow students, faculty, and friends have all had a great influence on my interests and goals. I have gotten the opportunity to teach, experiment majors, and work professionally all because of the people that surrounded me.

 

Favorite QUEST memory?

Julia:

1) Getting run over at QUEST camp within the first 30 minutes during an ice breaker resulting in a nice head gash. Haha!

2) I got to ride around in a tractor and meet the Cataraptasaurus during a client visit to a Caterpillar Dealer.

3) A few QUESTees went to play laser tag and my greatest mistake was wearing a grey shirt because that was the most intense workout I had all semester.

Rohan:

My favorite QUEST memory was just one month ago, when we went to our BMGT490H client Caterpillar’s Equipment Sale and Expo at their Alban CAT dealership. From an academic perspective, it was great to personally communicate with clients and observe the business opportunity real-time. From a fun perspective, we were treated to award-winning Chaps Pit Beef, free ice cream, and, best of all, got to drive tractors. It was a blast.

 

What are you plans after graduation?

Julia:

First, I will be traveling after graduation. I will spend a few weeks in Texas and Florida around the holidays. Then, I will travel to India and backpack around Southeast Asia for a few months. After scampering around the world, I am buying a few rain jackets and will work at Microsoft as a Program Manager in Seattle, Washington.

Rohan:

I plan to take a long break and start working at least past June. My plans are very much in the air, but I will try to volunteer. I am thinking of volunteering as a part of Habitat for Humanity or the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for the many recent natural disasters. If that falls through, I plan on travelling as much as I can.

 

Any other parting words you want to give to your peers?

Julia:

Things I wish I told myself as a freshman: First, do random stuff on campus and around the area. Sounds interesting? Go. Don’t have a friend to go with? Still go. People are friendlier than you think. Second, use all of your resources/network (like the QUEST directory). Don’t be afraid to contact random people and ask them for advice. Third, exams are easier when you pay attention in class.

To the QUEST Community: I am extremely lucky to have you guys. Thank you to the Quality Guild who make it all happen and the students who make the program what it is. I learned and laughed so much with all of you. You are all so exceptional and I am proud to be a part of QUEST. I thank you for your part in my journey.

Final Farewell: I genuinely hope our paths cross again. Keep in touch!

Rohan:

People often get stuck and fixated on wanting and “achieving” more. Don’t try to say yes to everything, but instead say yes to things that make sense for you. Take a step back, put things in perspective, and live your best life!

 

Congratulations to all of our seniors graduating this December:

  • Rohan Bajaj (Q26)
  • Angelina Bingei (Q25)
  • Pete Dziki (Q25)
  • Eric Huang (Q23)
  • Julia Lomakina (Q26)
  • Max Samuels (Q26)
  • Janae Savoy (Q23)
  • Derien Scott (Q24)
  • Gabe Vostal (Q24)

On behalf of the QUEST student and faculty community, we’ll all genuinely miss your presence on campus; we hope that you’ll be able to visit sometime soon, and wish you the best of luck with your careers and post-UMD life!

Rou Tzamaras and Andrew Jones (Q26) attend Forbes Under 30 Summit

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Rou Tzamaras (senior, mechanical engineering major, international engineering minor, Q26) and Andrew Jones (senior, aerospace engineering major, Q26) both had the recent pleasure of being invited to attend the Forbes Under 30 Summit as U30 Scholars. This was a 4-day event held in the heart of Boston, MA, and it brought together students, young entrepreneurs, innovators, corporate sponsors, and celebrities such as Kendrick Lamar and former Apple CEO John Sculley. Recently, I had the chance to catch up with both of them to ask them to reflect on their experiences and insights from the event.

I know you were recently at the Forbes Under 30 Conference so what was your favorite part of the whole event?

Rou: My favorite part was the area called the under 30 village where everyone could go and hangout. They had multiple tracks, but if there were no events going on during your track session, you could just go and hangout there. That’s where they had speakers and different networking opportunities.

Andrew: I think the event was interesting because it was spread throughout Boston and over the course of 4 days, so there was a lot of freedom to choose where you wanted to go.

There was a hub called the “village” which had a mainstage set up for companies such as Fidelity, Microsoft, and Samsung to host booths where you could visit, learn more about the companies, and network. There was also another tent with different types of startups in multiple fields such as medicine, technology, and others. There was even a stage for entrepreneurs to talk and host roundtables too.

I was on the tech track with two sessions and different speakers ranging from CEOs of companies like One Plus to actors like T.J. Miller and engineers from Reddit and Bumble. I loved that there was so much for you to pick and choose from.

Which speaker was your favorite and why?

Rou: I was on the create track which was all about branding yourself, making your image, and creating cool things with an impact on society. During this time, TJ Miller from Silicon Valley came to talk to us and he was not only hilarious, but also very candid. He spoke about what you need to do to follow what you want and the advice that he left us with was, “Make your own meaning, work for a reason, and work harder than anybody else.”

Andrew: I listened to Saket Modi, an ethical hacker and CEO of Lucideus Tech, talk about the recent wave of data hacks. He discussed how easy it was to get access to people’s information and even hacked into a person’s phone in the audience after they handed it to him for about 10 seconds. He pulled out his laptop and projected all their contact information, texting history, audio, and location information as well.

This was so eye opening to me because I had no idea how easy it was to do something like that. It became especially interesting once I realized how many people use their phone numbers as a secondary authentication service for Facebook, Gmail, and other social networks. I’m studying aerospace engineering, and I don’t do too much coding, but it was cool to see how much you can infiltrate a person’s life despite all the measures of security we have in place.

From your perspective, why do you think an event like Forbes Under 30 is so significant when it comes to bridging the gaps between young people and older people who are more established in the industry?

Rou: I met a lot of people in a lot of different startups, and I think it’s important for people who have been in the industry for a long time to see the types of things that younger people can come up with. I also think it’s important for younger people to talk to the people who have been in industry to see how they got to where they are and what kind of path they should follow.

What if anything would you say you learned after being at the conference?

Andrew: I would say I learned how to feel more confident in my progress and comfortable with my pace. I felt reinvigorated after seeing everybody doing their own thing. I concluded that if you keep pushing forward, doing your own thing, and staying humble then you’ll eventually see the returns from those efforts. We had big CEOs and then people from obscure startups talking about their success and failures and it was all incredibly inspirational.

After being at the event and learning what you learned, how do you feel the conference impacted your thoughts about what you want to do with your career and your life moving forward?

Rou: I went to the create stage because it was something different from engineering. I have always been interested in media and content creation, but the biggest thing for me is having a platform that I can use to speak on things that matter to me.

Looking for a job has been stressful, and I feel like I’ve been thinking too much about what location is the best, what’s going to pay the most, and what’s going to look the best, but not what’s going to help me make the greatest impact possible. I want to do something where I feel like my work is helping people. I want to make a personal impact, and this conference drove home how important that is for me.

Do you still think you want to focus on the engineering side of things, or do you want to make an impact in another field of study?

Rou: That’s TBD, but I’m applying to a lot of engineering and non-technical roles so we’ll see how things turn out. When it comes down to it, if I take an engineering role, I hope to supplement that time with meaningful activities on the side by volunteering and doing pro bono work. If I take a nontechnical role such as consulting, those tend to have these opportunities built in so I hope to utilize those opportunities and make an impact there. Regardless of where I go, this conference showed me that I want to be a change maker. Whether it’s in a technical or non-technical role, I want to be a mover and a shaker than can make a lasting impact.

Andrew: During the past few months, I’ve been going back and forth between consulting and engineering, but I’ve always wanted to do something service related like AmeriCorps or Princeton in Asia. I’ve been talking to my parents and various other people, but being at the event made me even more confident about pursuing what I want to pursue and doing what I want to do. For some people, there’s a rush to go corporate and climb up the ladder, but for me, I’ve realized that I want to do something more service-oriented before going into corporate. After attending the Under 30 conference, I feel even more energized to move towards that.