Community / September 7, 2016

Maria Claudia Viera ’19 is Pioneering Her Path

Maria Claudia Viera ’19 is Pioneering Her Path

Victor Mullins, associate dean of the undergraduate program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, sat down with Smith Sophomore Maria Claudia Viera '19 to discuss how she is “pioneering her path” during her Smith Journey. Maria is in the process of earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre.

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: You just completed your freshman year at the Smith School. Reflect on how you “built your brand.”

Maria: Building my brand at Smith was, for me, a journey of finding out what image I wanted to present to the people in my life in a professional, social, or academic environment. Through the variety of classes, clubs, and organizations at Smith, I was able to discover what assortment of skills I need to obtain during my college career, as well as how to gain self confidence in order to create the best version of myself.

Dean Mullins: Sophomore year gives students the opportunity to “pioneer their path;” what does this mean to you?

Maria: The second year of college is a crucial time to begin taking the skills and knowledge that one is gaining at school and create a vision of where one plans to go in the future. As a Marketing and Theatre double degree student, I am exploring different options of how to combine both of these passions in the workplace and take advantage of all of the experience I am gaining. Pioneering your path means finding out where you want life to take you after college and what you are going to do during these years in school to get to that point.

Dean Mullins: What advice would you give to your sophomore peers?

Maria: My three pieces of advice would be to get involved, take risks, and ask questions. The best way to find out what you are good at and what you like (and what you don’t) is by exploring organizations, clubs, and groups to figure out where you fit in. More importantly though, I really encourage my peers to take risks because you never know when or where you will find opportunities. Coming into college, I had never considered joining a fraternity; however, one of the best decisions I have made so far in college has been to pledge the professional business fraternity, Phi Chi Theta. I have met some of my closest friends in that group and have been able to make excellent professional contacts. Lastly, ask questions. All the faculty and staff at Smith are there to help and are happy to open their doors to students. I have found that simply showing interest in getting to know professors can make a great difference in my time at the Smith School of Business.

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

The best way to make a mark on campus is to get involved with different student groups and organizations. Currently I am serving as Scholarship Chair of the professional business fraternity, Phi Chi Theta. Additionally, I perform service projects with the TerpAMA as well as with the Catholic Terps. This September, I will begin my role as an Honors Peer Mentor helping to guide first year college students through the struggles of balancing an academic and social life on campus. To fulfill my passion for Theatre, I am involved in the productions at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center as well as with the student theatre group, The Weekday Players.

Dean Mullins: What is your dream?

After graduating and gaining experience in different areas of Marketing and Theatre, my long term dream would be to own a drama school. Since I was young I have wanted to be my own boss, and having my own drama school would be a perfect way to use my business and theatre backgrounds while fulfilling my childhood dream. Additionally, one of my favorite ways to give back to others is through teaching. Having moved from Bolivia to the United States during elementary school, I found great help and confidence in my drama club, with my director providing particular guidance during those transition years as I adapted to the culture and language. I would love to be able to use the theatre to help other students in that same way.

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

Since freshman orientation at the Smith School of Business, I felt that I was in a very welcoming and friendly environment. At first, the large amount of resources and faculty that the business school has to offer seemed overwhelming, but in my experience, everyone in the school has been very willing to answer questions and help students successfully navigate through their time here. What I love most about the school is walking into Van Munching Hall every day and feeling the energy of the students going from class to class, preparing for a job interview, working on homework, or catching up with friends. Little by little, I am learning how to use all of the resources that Smith has to offer and each day I find that I am fitting into the Smith family.

For more information about the undergraduate program at Smith, visit: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad 

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Greg Muraski
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gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

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