Tag Archives: student spotlight

Q24’s Big Friendly Giant: Dominick Montero

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Dominick MonteroDominick Montero (Q24) is a rising junior majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He was part of the notoriously tall BFGs (Big Friendly Giants) 190H team, and they definitely built a reputation for their similarly big friendly ideas and tailored presentations for the class projects this past semester. Outside of QUEST, Dominick is involved in Engineers Without Borders and conducts research with high-altitude payloads.

This summer, Dominick is studying abroad in Toulouse, France. As a student of the GEA Aerospace Summer Program, he has the unique opportunity to study alongside students from other universities including the University of Michigan, Syracuse University, University of Illinois, and University of Washington- Seattle.

1. As part of this summer program, what have you been learning about? Why did you decide to take courses through this program?

I am taking specialized aerospace courses in subjects like Structures, Combustion & Detonation and Propulsion. I chose to take this course because of the opportunities it presented in applying aerospace concepts. As a student, you normally don’t see much outside of the theoretical equations and models. In this program, there is a big focus on real-world applications and seeing them in action. For example, we’ve been given special tours by companies like Airbus and Dassault and learned about the design, production, and business aspects of each company. These classes complemented principles from QUEST classes, which is part of why I found it so interesting.

2. What has been your favorite experience while studying abroad thus far?

My favorite experience was in Barcelona when FC Barcelona won the Champion’s League. We celebrated with over a hundred thousand people – there were fireworks and flares and people chanting everywhere.

3. What is your fondest QUEST memory?

My fondest QUEST memories are all of our 190H team meetings. We were named the BFGs (Big Friendly Giants), and we really lived up to the name. My teammates are some of the best people that I’ve met at UMD.

4. What are you most looking forward to this upcoming school year?

I am looking forward to getting into detailed aerospace classes, and I think that this summer program has definitely given me a better understanding of what I want to do. I’m most excited to take 390H and mentor the spring 190H cohort; I’m looking forward to more QUEST experiences!

Student Spotlight: Q22’s Alison McCoun

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Alison McCoun Student Spotlight

 

Alison McCoun is a bright junior majoring in Finance and Operations from Annapolis, Maryland. Outside of QUEST, Alison also has served as the President of the University of Maryland Shotgun Sports Team for the past two years, and is an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha. She recently returned from the QUEST2China study abroad trip, and has an internship with Constellation Energy in Baltimore this upcoming summer.

Tell me about your upcoming internship with Constellation Energy. How did you secure this internship, and why did you choose to intern there?

I first found out about the internship through a listing on HireSmith. I needed an internship listing for my Junior English class because we were writing targeted resumes and cover letters. Since I was prepping with the listing anyway, I figured that I might as well talk to Constellation/Exelon when they came to the Smith Career Fair. I met the recruiters at the fair (one Constellation representative was QUEST alumnus Ricky Wilson) and they gave me an interview. I ended up being interviewed a few days later for the summer position but the interviewer liked me enough to hire me starting in January onto his team!

I chose to accept the offer because for one thing, it’s an easy internship to have while going to school – Baltimore is not a bad commute from campus. I also am really excited to be working in the energy industry. I am likely going to be moving around quite a bit in my future so it is good to be working for a company that has offices around the country.

Alison McCoun Student Spotlight 2You’re the President of the UMD Shotgun Sports Team. How did you get interested/involved? Why do you shoot?

At the First Look Fair freshman year, I stumbled upon the table for the team. My dad had taught me how to shoot when I was little and I was in typical “freshman mode” of signing up for every club possible. I went to a few practices and liked the people – then they told me I was good (news to me at the time). My sophomore year I became president. I was one of the few willing to step up to the challenge and the club elected me.

I like to shoot because it is a challenge every time I go to the range. Like golf, clay target shooting is a game against yourself where you are always trying to do one better. It is also a great stress reliever because you get to make things explode!

What has been your favorite experience during your time in QUEST and/or at Maryland?

My favorite experience in QUEST thus far was definitely going on the China trip. It was my first time traveling to Asia and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it any other way.

My favorite experience at Maryland so far was probably the shooting team’s first trip to Nationals in Texas my freshman year. If you want to have an unusual experience and see a totally different world of college competition, head down to San Antonio for the ACUI Collegiate Clay Target Championships.

What are your professional goals after graduation?

I am really happy thus far with my experience at Constellation. I see myself staying with the company for at least a few years after graduation. I am really enjoying the people that I work with and I think it could be a good fit for me more long term.