Congratulations to Andrew Singer, winner of the Fall 2014 Build U. Scholarship. A senior majoring in chemical engineering and minoring in chemistry at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Andrew landed the $2,500 prize with his essay that explains how important shared values are to a company’s success.
Andrew is the ambitious type. On top of pursuing his bachelor’s degree, he has worked at 3M for more than two years, and he drew on his experiences at 3M and his knowledge of the corporation’s history to write about how it has run its business for 112 years with its core values intact.
The original core 3M values are:
- 3M Technology Advancing Every Company
- 3M Products Enhancing Every Home
- 3M Innovation Improving Every Life
“Since 3M was once a small company on the verge of failure itself, it has made it a goal to help smaller companies achieve success,” Andrew wrote in his essay.
“Whether that be supplying chemicals at discounted rates, disposing of waste material for free, or simply advising smaller companies, 3M has never been or will ever be ‘too good’ to help companies that are just getting on their feet. This 3M value also benefits the United States as a whole. By helping smaller companies succeed, 3M pours resources into boosting the nation’s economy.”
One only has to look at the words painted on the wall of the entry way at Buildium’s Boston office to see that helping small- and medium-sized businesses succeed and grow is what the company is all about. Andrew skillfully weaved the small-business theme into his retelling of 3M’s corporate history and grabbed the attention of the Build U. Scholarship committee — and the most votes.
To see what impressed our selection committee, check out Andrew’s entire essay.
Due to the soaring cost of a college education today, Andrew was thrilled to win the award. He said, “I am truly grateful and humbled by this generous scholarship. Companies like Buildium, which are willing to give to students looking to better their futures with a great education, are the companies that are truly invested in the future of our country and the world. I am honored to be the recipient of this award, and I hope to use it to further my education in the way that best exemplifies the values Buildium is built on. Thank you so much!”
You’re welcome, Andrew. We’re glad to help, and we predict you’ll have recruiters knocking on your door before you graduate. 3M — take note!
About the Build U. Scholarship
Each fall and spring, Buildium awards the Build U. Scholarship to the Product Design, Interaction Design, UX Design, Engineering, or Computer Science student who best explains how important a shared set of beliefs is to building a great company. The essay topic is inspired by Buildium’s core values: integrity, simplicity, balance, service, and ownership.
The deadline for Spring 2015 Build U. Scholarship applications is April 30, 2015, and the committee begins accepting essays and transcripts February 15. Please read the complete instructions and eligibility requirements before applying.