The Long Equation of Growth

Written by: Emely Gonzalez 🇸🇻

Headshot of Quinn Carmack. (Emelyn Gomez)

“You've got to genuinely enjoy what you love": words that Quinn Carmack has heard throughout his life.

As Carmack spent most of his childhood solving complex math problems, he believed he had found what he enjoyed most: math.

“Every time I do math, there's like this nostalgic sense of me doing that,” he said. “My dad would sit there and we would do three hours of calculus every day… It wasn't just him telling me I would do these problems. He would sit there for three hours with me and work through the problems.” 

Beginning with calculus courses at Salisbury University at age 12, he later enrolled as a part-time college student at 14 before transitioning to full-time studies. By the time he reached 16, he had already accumulated more than 90 math credits. Carmack knew exactly what he was coming to the University of Maryland to study.

As his priorities shifted, so did his understanding of what he wanted from academia. 

He learned that research was not just about figuring out the complex problems but also about helping others understand them. 

To help pursue this new focus, he became a Strauss TA, a highly selective program that allows him to teach a calculus class as an undergraduate student.

“I have just loved teaching so much,” he said. “I love the concept of explaining things [and] breaking things down into very simple things.” 

That passion was also a reflection of the joy his father fostered in him during the many hours they spent side by side, working through math problems with nothing more than paper and pencil.

Photo of the Carmack Family. (Courtesy of Quinn Carmack)

During his time at UMD, he accomplished many things, including obtaining an internship every summer, succeeding in rigorous courses, being a TA for various classes and beginning a path in research. 

His college experience also meant branching out of his comfort zone.

“I could have just stayed comfortable with the same people, the same friend group. But what I'm proud of is that I didn't just do that,” he said. “I tried to make friends with as many people as possible—people that I did agree with, people that I don't agree with too, people that have challenged my views—I feel like I'm the type of person who likes to be friends with everyone.”

Now, with a newfound passion for teaching and a continued love for mathematics, Carmack plans to pursue a Ph.D., following the advice he has carried with him all along: to genuinely enjoy what you love.

“Walk with a purpose.” - Quinn Carmack’s father