Jacob King '18 Commands His Career

Victor Mullins, associate dean of the undergraduate program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, recently interviewed Smith Junior Jacob King ’18 to discuss how he is “commanding his career” 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.

Jacob:  My freshman year was quite trying. It was the first time in my life that academics were getting the better of me. So, I did what I thought “every” college student does. I ignored it. I goofed off for most of my first semester until one day when I was skipping class and just walking around. On that day, I realized that there is a reason why I have been allowed to switch my major three times, to say what I wanted to, and to go to the school of my choosing. That day, on a walk that ended up taking me around campus three times, I realized the true price of my own and of all of our freedoms. There is someone, 7,000 miles away, looking down the barrel of a gun making sure that no one takes these freedoms away from us. The way I was raised, I couldn’t let this act of honor and servitude go unnoticed. I had to give back. Like my grandfathers and uncle before me, I choose to join the military, specifically Army ROTC. Since then, much of my college career has been dictated by this decision. It has pushed me to find my limits and break them, whether they are physical, intellectual or interpersonal. All known boundaries to me where eventually eliminated. Joining Army ROTC pushed me outside my comfort zone, and made me want to continue this trend by joining prestigious groups such as QUEST and Alpha Kappa Psi. In addition, my realization forced me to grow up. By accepting that we only have such a small amount of time at UMD, I wanted to make every second count. The second semester of my freshman year was focused on how I could leave my mark on UMD and the Smith School. By becoming a bigger voice within my College Park Scholars Business program as well as helping bring an entrepreneurship club to the Smith School, I was still trying to find the best fit for myself. Through these experiences I learned that success wasn’t measured by the size of your club, the number of leadership roles you hold, or even your GPA. It is measured by something similar to a mentor of mine once said, “If at the end of the day, you can look in the mirror and say that you tried your best, and have grown from it, that’s all anyone can ask for.”

Dean Mullins: How are you going to “command your career” during your junior year? I do recognize that this year is still beginning.

Jacob: “Commanding” my junior year is ironic to say, because some of the roles that I will be taking on will have the title of “Commanding Officer.” So, in addition to my business school courses taking larger amounts of effort, so will my ROTC courses. When an ROTC class becomes juniors, they undertake the roles and responsibilities of leading the battalion under the supervision of the seniors, and some of the roles involve teaching freshman and sophomores, as well as our own peers. In that regard, I will literally by “commanding my career” by practicing the day-to-day duties I would undergo in the real military. I will also be trying to take on other leadership roles within other Smith School organizations. Within Alpha Kappa Psi, I will be running for an executive board position with the hopes that I can help usher in another class of amazing brothers, while also raising our current brotherhood to new heights. Within the QUEST program, there is a new entity called QDes or the QUEST Development series which I will be playing a role in implementing. This program aims to allow those who are extremely skilled in some facet or expertise to share it with others through short-classroom presentations. This was piloted already within the QUEST program, and we hope to take it to the rest of the business school in the spring 2017 semester.

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

Jacob:

1.)   Never stop, never settle. The biggest false truth we tell ourselves is that we are good enough. There will always be someone better and if we stop because we think we have become the best, someone will surpass us. I don’t understand why we wouldn’t want to better ourselves when we have so much help from our peers and faculty, as well as time on our hands.

2.)   Respect isn’t given, it is earned. We, as a generation, give ourselves too much and take too much for granted. Just because I think my professor shouldn’t teach one specific way, doesn’t mean that I should insult his way of teaching. Instead, I should inquire as to why and find a middle ground if we can. I understand that if I want something, I need to work for it. Others will see your work ethic and respect you for it.

3.)   Balance yourself. Being in Smith, we all try to do so much. Everyone thinks they need a Fellows Program and two clubs, toss in a leadership role and an Honors Program if you can! That’s what we aim for isn’t it? But we are still in college, still young. Remember to let yourself relax, and have fun. We go to school in one of the most diverse and immersive areas of the country, so go explore it! I choose UMD for its academics and for its external community and environment.

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

Jacob: I think everyone has their own idea of how they are making their mark on campus. For me, it used to be about leaving a “legacy” where I would be remembered, and that’s what I think most people try to do. However, as my time here has progressed, it is the personal connections that I have made that have really made my time here worthwhilen and has changed my view of the mark I want to leave. One quote that really resonates with me is from Maya Angelou: “At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”  Since meeting all these amazing and caring people from my time here at UMD, I want to leave my mark on them instead of on campus because it won’t be the “things” that I remember, but the people that I will remember. That boils down tojust trying to be the best individual that I can be and loving others as a brother would. For me, I really do get happiness from seeing others succeed, especially when I know I had a hand in it.

Dean Mullins: What is your dream?

Jacob: My dream is to at some point be able to quit whatever I am doing later in life, whether it be military or business related, and be able to open up my own restaurant and bar. One of my biggest passions is cooking, so to be able to pursue this as a career would be my dream. I have already thought through what I would want it to be - a modern twist on traditional Spanish Tapas. Tapas are small platters to be ordered and shared, like small family style food, but instead a table can order many different dishes to try. In addition, it wouldn’t be Spanish at all, but instead a compilation of small dishes and finger food recipes that I have already started to compile. You can ask anyone and they will tell you that I will try any food twice (in case the first time it wasn’t cooked right, etc.). From having tried so many different foods in different countries, I want to offer some of the best on one menu.

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

Jacob: I believe that the Smith School gives students a rare opportunity to never hit a ceiling, but instead gives them fuel to push every boundary set before them. By this I mean that the Smith School gives students so many different tracks and areas to explore that one could never be bored. And this isn’t only limited to academic opportunities, but also social, professional, cultural and even international outlets that are offered to students just waiting to be taken advantage of. I have personally tried to make it a point to try as much as I can, from traveling to Asia, to joining an esteemed honors program, to even joining a professional business fraternity. While some schools may offer a few of these opportunities, the Smith School keeps the students feeling like they personally care about them and help each one succeed. The reason why I choose UMD was because of the “person-ability” of the business school. When I was thinking of committing to UMD, I arranged an interview with Dr. Jeffrey Kudisch, managing director of Smith’s Office of Career Services. During my orientation of the Smith School, Dr. Kudisch took me out of the presentation and gave me a tour himself. He then sat me down and asked me what I was looking for in a college. He by no means was selling UMD, but took an interest in what I wanted and explained other options as well. It was because of this interaction that I choose UMD.