As winter break approaches, some students are getting more than just time off—they’re getting their diplomas. No cap and gown can hide the smiles of students ready to take on the world post-college. I connected with a few graduating QUESTees about their college experience and how QUEST shaped their time here.
Category Archives: Student Stories
Across the Ocean: QUEST’s Winter Break Plans
Although finals season is in full swing, there is something we can all look forward to: Winter Break. Let’s see what some of our QUESTees will be up to this break.
QUEST Corporate’s Mentorship Program Launches its Fourth Iteration
The QUEST faculty and staff actively enable and encourage students to take advantage of our extensive alumni network, which includes over 1,500 alumni. Sometimes reaching out can seem daunting to students, but QUEST Corporate’s mentorship program helps. Entering its fourth year, this program pairs QUEST students with an alumni mentor working in a field that matches their career interests over the course of a semester.
A Leader in Cohort 41: Student Spotlight on Eileen Chen
I had the pleasure of speaking with my fellow cohort member, Eileen Chen, for this month’s student spotlight. Chen is a sophomore finance and information systems major in Cohort 41. She was nominated by fellow cohort member, Abhinav Mukherjee.
Eileen Chen, a member of Cohort 41
Studying Abroad in Style in Spain
College is the time to try new things, whether that’s learning to cook or traveling to a new country. This month, I talked to two QUEST students who both chose to study abroad in the lovely city of Madrid, Spain for the semester! Both Bioengineering majors in Cohort 38 studying at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Fiona Sheridan and Hannah Lee had nothing but amazing things to say about their experiences so far.
Taking a QUEST for Spring Break
QUEST is an organization where we work hard and play hard. This spring break, students went all around the country visiting cool new places on individual QUESTs.
Teaming Up through Intramural Volleyball
In the spirit of warmer weather, QUEST students are getting active. Besides going to the gym, QUESTees are putting their team skills to use by participating in intramural volleyball!
The QUEST for Data: Highlights from QUEST’s Annual Datathon
With the QUESTTech Datathon just passing, we have many QUESTees to congratulate! This competition, sponsored by Fifth Tribe, was the third annual data competition hosted by QUESTech and the QUEST Honors Program at UMD. Teams had the opportunity to analyze a complex dataset and present their findings to a panel of judges for a chance to win a cash prize! Judges included QUEST alumna Heather Bacon (Cohort 34), Dr. Brian Danielak, Professor David Ashley, and QUEST Program Coordinator Emily Marks.
Daniel Lamb (Q40) and Melvin Rajendran (Q40) at the QUESTTech Datathon with Khuram Zaman, CEO of Fifth Tribe
An International QUEST
This January, I was fortunate enough to go on the QUEST Winter Abroad Trip to Vietnam and Singapore. Signing up for the trip, I really didn’t know what to expect, and I have to say, this opportunity far exceeded my expectations. On my transcript, what looks like a 3-credit course was an opportunity where I was able to learn, grow, and have fun.
Electrical Engineer to Lawyer? More Likely than You Think
When Matt Weirich joined the QUEST program as a freshman, he had already started two of his own businesses and was in the process of getting two patents. How did he do all of this before even starting college? I had the chance to sit down with Matt and learn more.