Andrei Papancea '13

What are you currently doing?

I am currently working as a Solutions Architect at a company called Argo Group, a global insurance company helping small and medium businesses cover themselves against day-to-day liability. I oversee and engineer several software projects across the company, aimed at automating and optimizing the company's operations. As of last year, I have also opened two companies. One is a consulting company, through which I offer tech consulting services to businesses of all sizes, including multinationals, such as NBC. The other one is a startup company that I opened with my brother, Vlad '17, aimed at creating a more compelling gifting experience. The product is a mobile application named Mångata, which allows people to send gifts to others without knowing their address.

How did your experience at Knox influence where you are today?

Knox played an instrumental role in shaping my view of the world and teaching me that you have the freedom to achieve whatever you set your heart on. It started with getting involved in countless extra-curricular activities, from design to event planning, all the way to doing cutting-edge research and publishing papers. All the skills I've learned and the experience I've gotten while attending Knox taught me to approach real-life situations with confidence and to be vocal about what I believe in.

What's the most important thing you learned outside the classroom while you were a student?

You need to listen to others. This is a crucial skill in the real world, since communication is at the core of human interaction. Getting involved in Union Board, Folio, TKS, and I-Club taught me how to work and thrive in a group setting.