Daraine Harris '17 Embraces His Experience

Victor Mullins, associate dean of the undergraduate program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, recently interviewed Smith Senior Daraine Harris’17 to discuss how he is “embracing his experience” during his Smith journey.

So what does the Smith journey entail? During their freshman year, Smith students begin to build their personal brand through the SmithStart program. Sophomores dedicate their second year to pioneering their path to success by focusing on an overall academic and career strategy. Junior year focuses on students taking command of their careers during to ensure that they are well positioned for their professional journey. Finally, as a senior with an arsenal of tools, knowledge and networks, Smith students are able to embrace their experience and celebrate their success.

Dean Mullins: Reflect on how you “built your brand” during your freshmen year.

Daraine: My freshman year was all about being a sponge. Coming out of high school, I knew what I wanted to do, but had no idea of how to get there outside of doing well in class. During my first year I networked, exposed myself to the business world, and soaked up everything I could along the way. Once I had the knowledge, I started to build my own personal brand “Sharp, Wise, Driven.”

Sharp - On time, On point, Well dressed

Wise - Book-smart and Street-smart

Driven - Continuously ambitious, even when I’ve made some success. NEVER COMPLACENT!

Dean Mullins: How about your sophomore year? How did you “pioneer your path?”

Daraine: Sophomore year was one of the highlights in my college career. I took the opportunity to really buckle down on my school work and make sure that my GPA was highly competitive in the job/internship market. As a result, that year I was accepted into the business school, and I also started my first internship with the Food and Drug Administration. I consider my sophomore year to be one of my most valuable college years because I built a stronger work ethic and I started implementing my personal brand and everything I learned freshman year.

Dean Mullins: And how did you “command your career” during your junior year?

Daraine: Junior year was about taking it to the next level! I already had a government internship, but my ambition wouldn’t let me become complacent in the position I had currently achieved. I took this year to research and reflect on ways to make myself more marketable and valuable and then convinced myself that I was deserving of any opportunity presented. Once I convinced myself that I was deserving, it was easy to convince interviewers and display my worth. I always strived to be better than the next candidate, and it excited the drive and hunger for more. The ability and intuition to build and use my network was genuine and instrumental in my success. My competitive drive pushed me to be better than those around me and allowed me to strive to be at the top of my game. It was during this year that my hard work and dedication began to pay off, lighting my path to success.

Dean Mullins: As you approach graduation from the Robert H. School of Business, how are you “embracing your experience?”

Daraine: I’m taking in the experience day by day and realizing how lucky and fortunate I really have been. I look back to when I was a freshman and I don’t think I saw myself making it to where I am now. I didn’t even know if I’d make it into the Smith School. I started from Freshman Connection, hit the books hard to get into the Smith School, and now I’m about to graduate with a job at one of the four most prestigious consulting firms in the United States … God is Great! I am very appreciative of every opportunity I was presented because I know there are millions of people that would do anything to be in my place.

Dean Mullins: What advice would you give to your fellow Smith peers and community?

Daraine: Be a sponge. Be yourself. Be ambitious… And, most importantly, don’t let anyone or anything get in between you and your goals.

Dean Mullins: How have you/are you making your mark on campus?

Daraine: The Smith Business Academy is my main way of leaving my mark on this campus. I still go to meetings and give advice to the younger business students and answer any questions they have about college, professional development, or life in general.

Dean Mullins: What is your dream?

Daraine: My dream is to be successful, wealthy and humble while still being able to give back to the community in every way possible.

Dean Mullins: Why are you passionate about the Smith School?

Daraine: No class on Fridays! Haha! But really, the Smith School truly felt like home to me. I learned so much from being in Smith every day. This business school is easily the most amazing part of my college experience.