By Nicole Lyons, April 18, 2025
UCM graduate student Kruthiik Majeti, far right, his fellow young quality professional
panelists and the panel
moderator are seen at the Collaboration on Quality in the Space and Defense Industries
(CQSDI) Forum.
Attendees at the 32nd annual Collaboration on Quality in the Space and Defense Industries (CQSDI) Forum heard from a 欧美视频 (UCM) graduate student who spoke about his experiences as a young quality professional.
Kruthiik Majeti, a graduate student from Vijayawada, India, studying Industrial Management, participated in a panel titled 鈥淧ast, Present, and Future from a Young Quality Professional,鈥
along with peers from RTX, the University of Mississippi, Space Dynamics Laboratory,
and Northrop Grumman.
The prestigious , focused on quality in the aerospace and defense sectors, took place in March in
Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is co-hosted by NASA, the Department of Defense, the Missile
Defense Agency, and the Defense Contract Management Agency and sponsored by the American
Society for Quality (ASQ) Aviation, Space, and Defense Division.
The workshop facilitated a collaborative roundtable discussion about challenges faced
by young quality professionals working in the aviation, space and defense industries.
The panelists also provided insights on what it takes to attract, retain and grow
young professionals in those industries.
鈥淎s a panelist, he is responsible for providing valuable insights into the future
of the space and aerospace sectors,鈥 said Joleen Watson, Ph.D., assistant professor
with the School of Industrial Sciences and Technology graduate programs. 鈥淗e is establishing himself as an emerging leader among quality
and engineering professionals and exemplifying the breadth and depth of knowledge
of our School of Industrial Sciences and Technology graduate students.鈥
Majeti said attending the CQSDI Forum was an incredible experience and that it was
an honor to represent the next generation of quality leaders.
鈥淵oung quality professionals bring fresh perspectives, new technological insights
and innovative problem-solving approaches to the industry,鈥 Majeti said. 鈥淎s industries
evolve with automation, AI and data-driven decision-making, it is essential for young
professionals to be involved in discussions that shape quality standards and practices.
By engaging with experienced professionals, we can bridge generational knowledge gaps
and ensure that quality management adapts to modern challenges while maintaining its
core principles.鈥
As he works toward career goals, Majeti saw the CQSDI Forum as a valuable opportunity
to connect with and learn from industry leaders. He encouraged more students to seek
out experiences that allow for professional growth.
鈥淏eing selected to participate in a workshop at such a prestigious event was both
exciting and humbling,鈥 Majeti said. 鈥淚t reinforced my belief in the importance of
actively engaging with industry professionals and staying updated on the latest trends
in quality management.鈥
Majeti not only had the opportunity to attend and participate in the forum, but he
created the opportunity for himself. He reached out to the conference organizers and
volunteered for the young quality professionals panel, which landed him a spot next
to panelists from prominent universities and companies. Majeti also obtained a grant
from the UCM Graduate Studies Graduate Student Scholarly Travel Fund.
Watson said it exemplifies how Majeti is 鈥渄riven and fearless.鈥
鈥淜ruthiik has exceeded expectations in engagement with the School of Industrial Sciences
and Technology graduate programs from the beginning,鈥 Watson said. 鈥淎t our first meeting
in the department orientation, he asked how he could get involved with research and
projects. He has worked with the Engineering Technology labs and is currently a graduate
assistant in the Industrial Management program. Kruthiik also serves as the ASQ Student
Branch vice president. He has shown natural leadership by example skills, participating
in all professional development, fundraising and community building events.鈥
Majeti has also secured an offer letter for a summer internship with Polaris, where
he will be applying quality and engineering principles. Watson noted that Majeti is
an engineer to the core, and he even enjoys tinkering with 3D printing in his free
time.
Before joining UCM, Majeti earned a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Aerospace Engineering and
gained experience working in both research and industry settings. After completing
his master鈥檚 degree, Majeti hopes to work in the aerospace industry as a quality engineer,
focusing on manufacturing processes, defect reduction and operational efficiency.
鈥淯CM has prepared me well for this path by offering coursework that blends industrial
engineering principles with real-world applications,鈥 Majeti said. 鈥淢y role as a graduate
assistant has also strengthened my ability to manage projects, analyze data and collaborate
with cross-functional teams 鈥 skills that are crucial in the quality and operations
field.鈥
For more information about the Industrial Management program at UCM, click here.