Looking to jumpstart your career, take on new challenges, or connect with industry leaders? Competing in business case competitions offers students and young professionals hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and the opportunity to develop invaluable skills. These case competitions provide a unique platform for students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world challenges. In addition, case competitions allow students to build lasting relationships with potential mentors and future employers!

Transform Classroom Knowledge Into Real-World Solutions

Case competitions are designed to help participants develop problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills. Throughout the process, participants are prompted to conduct research and foster creative solutions for complex problems. While under strict time constraints, participants must navigate various solutions to make crucial decisions with limited information.

Jammie Tran, a first-place team member at the Salesforce IDEAthon Challenge, shared her experience with us. “Participating in competitions like this is beneficial for students because it allows us to apply the knowledge we’ve learned in the classroom to real-world problems,” she says. “It also helps us approach challenges from different perspectives and gives us an idea of what to expect in our future careers.”

Build Your Problem-Solving and Networking Skills

A key aspect of case competitions is the networking opportunities. Participants gain invaluable feedback from rising industry leaders, judges, and recruiters and connect with other students. For previous participants, this has been a highlighted area of the experience.

Tran emphasizes networking as one of the driving factors behind her decision to compete. “After the presentations, we receive meaningful, honest feedback from the judges, a key element for our personal and professional growth. After each competition, I have the opportunity to meet and talk with recruiters, which is a great chance to showcase my skills and make connections for future opportunities.”

Networking is a gateway for professional development and allows participants to learn from industry experts, share experiences, and gain insights into what future employers are seeking.

Advice for First-Time Competitors

Tran offers this advice for students considering case competitions for the first time, “…for those who are participating in a case competition for the first time – just join! Even if you know nothing about it, after participating, I am sure you will learn something new, such as using multiple platforms, presentation skills, or simply how to manage time effectively.” She also emphasizes that the reward goes beyond the prize whether you win or not.

Ultimately, case competitions provide participants with the platform to tackle real-world challenges using the knowledge and skills they have gained from the classroom. With every competition, students walk away with new insights, skills, and connections to help them stand out in the competitive business world.

Emily Lim is a senior and Opportunity Scholar. She is studying Marketing and Information Systems at the David Eccles School of Business. She is currently an intern in the branding, marketing, and communications department.