App development course leads to career for Schlorff
Inspired by a Cornell course in mobile app development, Kent Schlorff ’16, of Urbana, Illinois, delved further into the topic through independent studies and personal projects. These experiences led to an internship at John Deere, where he was asked to build an Android/iOS app from the ground up, starting one month behind his fellow interns.
The assignment was daunting, but aggressive timelines, learning on the fly, and final project presentations were familiar ground from three years of 18-day courses at Cornell. His successful performance resulted in a job offer from Deere before his senior year began, and in May he began the first of two 18-month job rotations with the firm in Des Moines.
Beyond his major, Professor Phil Venticinque helped rekindle Schlorff’s passion for Latin, classics, and ancient history. He also benefitted from mentoring relationships in two workstudy roles and participated in activities ranging from Greek life to the Third Wave Interest Group, which focuses on feminist issues.
Q: What Cornell experiences prepared you for a career in app development?
A: The two Cornell experiences I can point to are Professor Tony DeLaubenfels’ Mobile App Development course and One Course At A Time. The course laid the groundwork for my interest in mobile apps and prompted me to begin my own independent development, which provided the skills I needed for my internship at John Deere.
One Course At A Time was a lifesaver during my internship. Our internships culminated with end-of-session presentations to the IT department, including executives. I was tasked with a very ambitious project, and due to my own schedule, I ended up having less time than most interns. Because of the self-discipline provided by One Course At A Time, I was not only able to deliver, but I managed to land a job nine months ahead of graduation. Cornell was unequivocally foundational to that success.
Q: How did One Course At A Time impact your education?
A: One Course At A Time was foundational to the success of my internship and my education. It provided many opportunities to explore the limits of my own creativity in the classroom, from mobile apps to ancient economies. One Course At A Time also gave me the skills I need to work quickly and efficiently, providing skills like critical thinking and problem solving. It also successfully emulated the fast pace of a professional environment in my day-to-day coursework, providing me a framework that allows me to succeed in that environment.
Q: Why did you choose Cornell?
A: The student body. The strength of Cornell lies in its vibrant student body, and after only one visit, I knew it was perfect for me. I also can’t thank my parents enough – 14 years ago, they visited campus with my sister and suggested Cornell. While she chose a different college, Cornell turned out to be a perfect fit for me.
Q: What do you most value about your Cornell education?
A: The students. Cornell students are ferociously intelligent and insightful. I learned as much—if not more—from the Cornell student body as I did from my professors. The student focus on social justice and improving the world around them is the reason Cornell is what it is.
Q: What activities were you involved in at Cornell?
A: I was a triumvir, treasurer, webmaster, and alumni chair for Phi Kappa Nu. I also participated in Alliance and Third Wave Resource Group (TWRG), and I worked in the Admission Office under Sharon Grice and in the Audiovisual Services Office under Matt Zhorne.
I was incredibly lucky to have amazing brothers in Phi Kappa Nu, and I’ll carry those relationships and memories with me into post-graduate life. I was also fortunate to have friends and mentors in both Matt Zhorne and Sharon Grice, whose counsel on everything from interest rates to jobs to classes saved me a lot of grief.
Q: Who was your Cornell mentor?
A: I can’t say enough good things about Professor Phil Venticinque. Phil and I met during my junior year, when I took Latin 102 for my language credit. At a time when I was running out of academic steam, Phil reinvigorated my long-forgotten love of Latin, classics, and ancient history. He inspired me to take more classics courses after I finished my language credit, just for fun. He also reminded me that diversity of interest is just as important as intensity of interest.
Q: Is there someone else who has inspired you?
A: Without sounding cliché, my parents are my biggest inspiration. I admire them for so much, but one of the most important things they’ve shown me has been their incredible work ethic. If I have even a quarter of their work ethic and determination, I’ll be in good shape.
Q: What’s the most important thing you learned at Cornell?
A: The most important thing I learned was the truth of the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child.” I would not be where I am today if I hadn’t had such an amazing group of family, friends, teachers, and mentors behind me. With strong support systems, we can achieve far more than we ever could on our own.
Q: What is your biggest academic accomplishment?
A: My biggest academic accomplishment was in the computer science course Algorithms and Data Structures. I was able to use what I learned in that class to complete a personal project that used computer vision techniques to analyze the most common colors in a photograph. I’m hoping to continue work on this project to analyze the use of color by artists and build profiles of their work, in the hopes of finding patterns and changes in their work.
Q: How did Cornell change you?
A: Cornell made me realize the value of education for education’s sake. Education and academic pursuits are valuable because we undertake them, not just for their results. I take this philosophy into my personal life and hobbies, and it’s because of Cornell.
Q: What surprised you most about your time at Cornell?
A: Just how much I can get done in an hour. Cornell students are a force to be reckoned with if we have Internet access and coffee. A shout out to Bon Appétit for fueling hundreds of stressed-out students. You guys are incredible.
Q: What would you tell a prospective about Cornell?
A: I would say that you need to be ready to change. Your views will change, your creativity will change, your interests will change, and your assumptions will be challenged. Roll with it!
Q: What is the theme of your life? How do all of your interests tie together?
A: I love getting my hands on things to see how they’re put together. I’m stubborn, and if I don’t understand something the first time around, I’ll do it again until I’ve got it perfect. I believe in the importance of having diverse interests—being a computer scientist, I spend a lot of time using my brain, so I take care to develop physical hobbies as well, such as woodworking, welding, and my love of motorsports. I take these philosophies into my study, my work, and my hobbies, such as woodworking.
Q: Favorite study spot?
A: The Thomas Commons foyer, over lunch. The egg-shaped chairs were my favorite because if you positioned yourself right, you could sleep pretty comfortably. Post-lunch naps were a requisite part of fourth week (and first, second, and third week…)
Q: Who is Ulysses?
A: Mr. Altman, I know you’re in there.
Q: What is a random fact you’ve learned through your major?
A: Robots and mobile apps are extremely finicky and will test the extent of your patience.
