Community / September 12, 2016

Luke Newquist '17 Embraces His Experience

Luke Newquist '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 Luke Newquist  '17 to discuss how he is “embracing his experience” during his Smith Journey. Luke is in the process of earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance. Luke’s internship experience includes Pleasants Construction, Inc. (2014-2016) and RSM US LLP (2016-present). Upon graduation, Luke will continue into the Finance 4+1 Program, and prepare for the CPA.

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.

Luke: The transition from high school to college provided many new and exciting opportunities. However, freshmen year was a clean slate that determined which career path I intended to take. Strong work ethic, dedication to success, and willingness to be teachable will never go unnoticed with university professors and various industry recruiters. I strove to display these qualities as soon as I could. I attended many career fairs and campus interviewing days to get my name out there. After discovering a strong desire to work in the accounting practice, I gained the opportunity to do an accounting internship with Pleasants Construction, a heavy highway contractor from Clarksburg, Maryland.

Dean Mullins: How about your sophomore year. How did you "pioneer your path?"

Luke: You will be surprised about how many career opportunities networking will provide. Even developing relationships with tenured university professors, who have existing relationships with high-level practitioners, helped me pioneer my path. Transferring to the Robert H. Smith School of Business during my sophomore year opened many doors, such as adding finance major and the opportunity to meet recruiters from Big Four and large CPA firms. I attended the externship programs for RSM (then McGladrey) and EY, and received internship offers for both. Attending these programs enabled me to explore the public accounting profession and find that the audit practice greatly increased my opportunity to advance my career in many respects.

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

Luke: I began to find applications for the public accounting profession when I partnered with Professor Handwerger and a few other students to launch TerpTax’s first tax season in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Namely, this IRS-sponsored service opportunity enabled me to learn real-world applications of the accounting practice. TerpTax, a VITA chapter, allowed me to apply multiple management, client relation, and ethical skills that I learned at Smith. This opportunity prepared me for my Audit Internship with RSM this past summer, which flew me up to Alaska for 10 days to work on various government contracting clients. The initiative I took throughout my junior year helped me land a job with RSM after graduation in a practice that will greatly utilize my skill sets.

Dean Mullins: As you graduate from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, how are you “embracing your experience?"

Luke: I am embracing my experience at Smith by continuing into the Finance 4+1 program after this academic year. The program will pair with my CPA aspirations very well, and will help me advance my career in unique ways. During my final year as an undergraduate, I will continue to participate with the TerpTax team as an executive and team leader. Also, I am taking part in RSM’s Campus Ambassador Program which will help to other Terps learn from my experiences and potentially join an opportunity-rich public accounting firm.

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

Luke: Smith’s resources stand alone as the best career resource in the region and are distinguished throughout the world. Start networking early, never take your foot off the gas, and take your studies seriously. Take advantage of the opportunities and networking events that Smith holds on campus - it will never hurt you!

Dean Mullins: How did you make a mark on campus?

Luke: As a TerpTax executive and team leader, I lead my team by reviewing and enabling them to file over 30 returns last tax season. TerpTax, a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance chapter sponsored by the IRS, provides free tax consultation, preparation, and filing for low-income taxpayers. As a whole, TerpTax filed nearly 400 returns last year (a massive jump from 150 the year before). I hope that my service in TerpTax draws in other volunteers looking to apply their technical accounting skills in order to help the greater College Park area claim the refunds they deserve.

Dean Mullins: What is your dream?

Luke: My dream is to be successful wherever my career takes me. Since I am majoring in accounting and finance, and then will sit for the CPA as well as earn a masters in finance, my main goal is to work towards a high-level management position. Whether that is a managing partner with RSM or a CFO in an industry of my choice, I know that I will succeed because Smith provided the base-education needed for those professions.

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

Luke: Smith’s community has proven to me time and again that we take care of each other, whether that is in the classroom or in the workforce. The opportunities that Smith provides have enabled me to take charge of my career development and land a job with an excellent public accounting firm. I love that the Smith does not do a thing for you, they provide opportunities for you to take charge of your own career and excel wherever it may be.

Media Contact

Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
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.

Back to Top