By Meredith Cobb
Gabrielle Bianchi ’18, MS ’19, is a firm believer in seizing opportunities. Within three years at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, she finished a double major in accounting and information systems, got involved in Greek life and club activities, and earned citations in the College Park Scholars and QUEST honors programs.
During her fourth year, Bianchi used the school’s Plus One program to earn a Master of Science in Information Systems.
“At first the University of Maryland was such a big school,” she says. “But I knew I had to trust in myself and be open to all of the new opportunities.”
College Park Scholars, a living-learning community for incoming Maryland students, helped Bianchi acclimate to university life. “I really liked all the classes because they revolved around innovation and how technology impacts society today,” says Bianchi, who joined the Business, Society and the Economy track at Smith. “I also lived with everyone in the program my freshman year and they became my really good group of friends.”
Bianchi later joined QUEST, an interdisciplinary program for sophomores, juniors and seniors.
“It was probably the most rewarding experience I had at Maryland,” she says. “Everyone was so smart and open, and I could really feed off that energy. It allowed me to accomplish a lot academically and really excel in my degrees.”
Bianchi also served as a graduate assistant and co-president of the Accounting and Business Association, after serving as a committee member and vice president. Adding on Greek life and her role as a student ambassador, Bianchi truly embodied the advice she gave to the students she helped.
“There are so many opportunities, and you have to be open to them and take advantage of them,” she says. “I learned a lot from older students who showed me the ins and outs of everything available, and I tried to be that for the younger students as well.”
Looking forward, Bianchi will move to New York and begin consulting with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
“I’m sad to leave Maryland,” she says. “I loved being part of the Smith family. The school and all the people I met there really made me who I am today. But I’m always trying to be positive and look for the next step, and Smith definitely prepared me to take that step.”
Meredith Cobb is a freelance writer based in Ellicott City, Md.
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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.