Jorge Richardson '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 Jorge Richardson’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. 

Jorge: I am a firm believer that freshman year is best spent as a generalist, exploring and learning about new and unfamiliar paths. The more you expose yourself to -- the more you learn about yourself and the better idea you get on where your best fit is.

This discovery period included searching and reflecting on an array of personal and professional endeavors, including several great Smith experiences -- the Sophomore Global Mindset Colloquium and the Hinman CEOs program. The Global Mindset Colloquium gave me my first real exposure to business problems through a global lens. The Hinman program is helping me drive towards my long-term career aspirations.

During freshmen year, I also knew that I wanted to get involved with some organizations outside of Smith so I pursued Greek Life opportunities other on-campus organizations. I was initiated into the Phi Gamma Delta Spring 2015 pledge class, elected as an officer on the Terrapin Ski and Snowboard Club Executive Board and joined the Maryland Images team as a campus tour guide.

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

Jorge: Thus far, I am commanding my internship, commanding my startup-self and commanding my pursuit for knowledge.

First, as a current finance major, I have spent the past few months conducting hundreds of informational interviews in order to best position myself during the interview process. As a result of the hard work, next summer I will join JP Morgan’s Institutional Hedge Fund Solutions group in their NY headquarters as a Client Portfolio Manager (CPM) Analyst intern.

Second, I have been very involved in both Hinman CEOs and the startup community in developing my startup-self and helping classmates and friends develop their startups. One of my favorite books, The 10% Entrepreneur, describes how everyone can start something new, develop their career and diversify their skills -- all without giving up their day job. Fortunately, as a full-time student I am able to devote a much greater portion of my time to my startup. I believe, however, that the same principle applies and I have been able to find a balance between my social life, my academics, pursuing an internship, and developing my product.

Finally, I will continue to command my career throughout the year by continuing my pursuit for knowledge. Specifically, I was recently accepted an invitation to study abroad in Barcelona and will be spending the spring semester living and learning brand new cultures. I hope to broaden my skillset and develop more interests.

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

Jorge: I view our undergraduate involvements as the “preseason” to our careers. Much like Michael Jordan is a product of the extra time he put in to developing his career, the values that a Smith student carries will be the product of his or her “pre-season.” My advice can be seen written on my walls, in my notebooks and set as daily reminders on my phone:

Try to always show up early, and give your best effort to stay late; Surround yourself with the best people and strive to be your best person; Whatever you want to do better, do 1% more each day – 1% compounded makes 3800% a year; Focus on the minutes – there are 1440 to be invested in each day; There is no such thing as a stupid question – write down the answer so you do not look stupid asking it again; Be the startup of your life – always be in the beta phase and always seek to improve yourself; Keep a continuous list of everyone who helps you achieve your goals – be sure to take time and thank them later; Leave everything better than you found it.

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

Jorge: I have developed an arsenal of entrepreneurial tactics that I employed to get my foot in the door of an interview. It is my current goal to develop it into a hands-on presentation that I will give to Smith students and hopefully encourage them to develop their own tactics (and then ultimately “give back”). I also hope to develop this thesis at Smith and then present it on a TedTalk. I would love to see some of my ideas broadcasted on a national scale.

Dean Mullins: What is your dream?

Jorge: I see my life as a constantly evolving 1-, 5- and 10-year plan. Part of this thesis says that as an 18-22 year old, it is impossible to know where you would like to be in 10 years, but it will be somewhere where your (later developed) professional skills and interests meet. Thus, as we begin to develop our professional skills and acquire new professional interests, it is important to keep your dreams in front of you, and give yourself milestones to collect on the way.

My professional dreams include being a successful Fortune 500 CEO, and being named a Fortune 40 under 40 Entrepreneur along the way. However, more important than the title is the impact that I will strive to have -- and I keep these values as my primary motivator. In order to reach this dream, I plan to continue to surround myself with the best people and continue to command my pursuit for knowledge— it is this reason that I surround myself in startups, will be joining JP Morgan next summer and am a proud Robert H. Smith School of Business undergraduate.

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

Jorge: I am passionate about Smith for three main reasons: the values, the opportunities and the people. To me, Smith embodies the fundamental values that both top-tier startups excel on and that large corporations oftentimes lack – culture. Every Smith student, whether they recognize it or not, can add value from day one. The difference? Smith makes sure students have the resources available to build their creative confidence and gives them the platform to add value. Smith has a huge focus on recruiting the top talent, and focuses on both the best students and the top faculty. Once their students have built their brand, Smith then helps students command their careers into top-level jobs across the world. At this point, Smith has helped me both build my brand and command my career. Thus, I think it is important that I give back whenever and wherever possible.