BMGT190H-0101
The Quest Honors program is a three-year program that one applies for during their freshman year and starts either the fall semester of their sophomore year or spring semester of sophomore year. This program includes two cohorts of 45 each so 90 total and is comprised of business majors, engineer majors and computer science majors.
In the practicum, BMGT190H-0101 we are placed in groups of 5. My group consisted of a marketing major, an information systems major, a mechanical engineering major, and a computer science major. The whole semester we were a group who was tasked with creating a product and another project where we were tasked to work with a client to reevaluate a current process to create a more efficient process. From this practicum I learned how to work in groups with people who have different perspectives. This enabled me to look through problems through different lenses such as with the mechanical engineer in my group allowed me to look at the tangibles and be more technical about our product ideas. I also learned how to work within a team within a short span of time since I did not know any of my teammates beforehand. I also learn how to define problems by utilizing design thinking and DMAIC. Design thinking appeals to individual's personal experiences in order to identify the problem. DMAIC is a data driven process that helps improve applications.
In the practicum, BMGT190H-0101 we are placed in groups of 5. My group consisted of a marketing major, an information systems major, a mechanical engineering major, and a computer science major. The whole semester we were a group who was tasked with creating a product and another project where we were tasked to work with a client to reevaluate a current process to create a more efficient process. From this practicum I learned how to work in groups with people who have different perspectives. This enabled me to look through problems through different lenses such as with the mechanical engineer in my group allowed me to look at the tangibles and be more technical about our product ideas. I also learned how to work within a team within a short span of time since I did not know any of my teammates beforehand. I also learn how to define problems by utilizing design thinking and DMAIC. Design thinking appeals to individual's personal experiences in order to identify the problem. DMAIC is a data driven process that helps improve applications.
Growth as a Leader through Practicum
We utilized a survey that made it evident that majority of people do not like cleaning after celebrations and that majority of families eat at a dining room table. With that being said the Tidy Table utilizes water to clean the top of the table, and all the user does is push a button to initiate the process as it is battery powered. The table seats 6 and has a wooden table top. We thought this product would be unique as their are patents for self cleaning dining tables but there are none on the market. In this instance ours would be the first on the market and we would charge $800 per a table. This is to stay competitive within the market. My role was the financial analysis to ensure that our product will remain in the market in the long term. This consisted of the fixed and variable costs as well as the break even analysis and total revenue. Since, I have not started my major required courses this was a very difficult task but I was happy with how I persevered and did not give up.
Overall, I was able to get a taste of what my majored required courses will feel like once I begin to take them which is why I chose this. Within this project, we had our marketing major focus on the design and layout of our presentation as well as marketing analysis along with our computer science major. We also had the information systems major and mechanical engineer play their role with identifying how we plan on improving our product in the future and the mechanics of the self cleaning dining table as well. Being able to understand diversified perspectives helped in my outlook on how to approach design innovation as well. I can apply my practicum as I move forward because I know how to approach defining a problem with quantitative analysis skills and different applications that will be useful since I am thinking of a career in Consulting. Before joining, QUEST we were told this. |
Future Plans
UMD:
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Elevator Pitch:
I am currently a Sophomore majoring in Finance with the R. H. Smith School of Business. I will be graduating out of the Public Leadership Scholars program after the Spring semester of my Sophomore year. Public Leadership has impacted in many ways, but I am most grateful of how much it was a confidence booster. At first, I was uncomfortable speaking in front of large crowds of White people because I felt like my opinion would be undermined. But after participating in debates and having group assignments I was able to see that I have what it takes to compete. I also disregarded color as a leader should and learned how to connect with people for their backgrounds and their perspectives. Overall, I am a better man who will graduate from this program gaining friendships and leadership style competencies. |