NAIT students once again showcased their abilities this year, as a team of NAIT business students took home the top prizes in two major competitions – the Alberta Business Deans Case and the Chartered Financial Planner (CFP) Case Competitions. These teams competed against major post-secondary institutions from across Alberta and Western Canada.
Congratulations to the CFP Case team; Charmaine Carrier, Brent Slavik, Arly Caluag and Badour Hassona, as well as the Deans Case team of Tyler Yamiolkowski, Megan Schott, Kaylee Banky-Sword, Humza Hydri and John Perozok.
NAIT students also took part in a number of other competitions, including the CPA Board Governance Case Competition and Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Competition, which illustrates just how competitive NAIT’s business program is. “For us to win this competition affirms the quality of the education we provide, which is why we are so very proud of it,” said Anna Beukes, chair of Finance Programs in the Business Program. “Last year we didn’t place in this competition, so to now get a first prize is a sign of the dedication of our faculty who worked tirelessly and the quality of our students this year who did it so very well.” With some major wins in past years, case competitions have also provided NAIT business students with invaluable experience.
“The School of Business has always hit slightly above our weight class in these competitions that we participate in … so if we’re close, we say it’s a good experience for the students, it’s good exposure, it’s a good way for industry to see us in action. But if we win, it’s like a bonus, and it affirms the quality of education that students get at NAIT and at the Business school at NAIT,” Beukes said. “So to win both the CFP Case competition and the Deans Case competition on the same weekend is incredibly affirming for our students and our faculty.”
Ignoring some of the more tangible benefits of these competitions – namely trophies, recognition and occasionally cash prizes – case competitions greatly expand students’ practical experience. Teams must take classroom knowledge and apply it in a real world scenario presented in the case. Students are required to analyze the case to make a recommendation entirely without guidance. This means teams must learn to identify and address issues on their own, while relying heavily on teamwork.
For those business students who think they know their formulas or guidelines; they’re in for a rude awakening, as the classroom concepts only provide the foundation for a team’s case analysis. Despite the difficulty, and the often gutwrenching fear in presenting an analysis and recommendation to the panel of judges – often industry experts and executives – these competitions are an amazing opportunity for business students.
Those interested in learning more about the different competitions are encouraged to speak with their instructors or program assistants. Competitions run every year, so there is always an opportunity to compete.
Nicolas Brown
Issues Editor
