In January of this year, I had the privilege of travelling to Winnipeg, Manitoba, with three of my classmates. We entered into the Asper School of Business Business and Accounting Students Case Competition and Conference (BASC). It was a three day conference that involved travel, networking, fun events (including a gala and wine and cheese social), and of course a two-round competition.
Our team wrote our cases in our hotel room, and if I remember correctly, we had two hours to read, write, and prepare our case for presentation. We re-configured our entire room just so we had room to spread out, write, and prepare our case. We were so elated to advance to the second round, where we had to complete a case (a different one, of course) again the next day. This case was a bit different – we had to present in front of all the other contestants and the judges. It was nerve-wracking but exhilarating.
Going to this competition made me realize just how much we learned at Lakehead. It also taught us what great friends we had made. When we were finished our presentation, other students even approached us to say what a great job we had done. We met some great people and made connections with people all across Canada that we still maintain today! Between dinners and dancing and networking, the entire competition was a blast. I wish I could go back with those same people and do it all over again, even if the competition was a little nerve wracking!
My teammates and I were sent to this competition with all expenses paid. As members of the Lakehead University Accounting Club, we raised money through bake sales and donations, and the Business department covered the rest of the entrance fee, hotel, and flight. Another testament to how great being in a small school is. We got to travel, make friends, and show Canada what Lakehead business students have to offer!
After the two-round competition and a lot of networking, the gala was at the evening of our final night in Winnipeg. Safe to say we were amazed and elated when it was announced that our team had won first place! We received a trophy, prize money to share between ourselves, and a lot of hugs. I think the highlight of that entire trip was when we walked off that stage and did a group hug. It was a testament to the fact that we were a team in every sense of the word – we worked hard, and we had a blast. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to compete with, a better University to represent, and a greater experience. Even if we hadn’t won (that was just the icing on the cake, I suppose!) it still would have been a phenomenal experience.
Lakehead University sends its students every year to a variety of competitions – engineering and business are the most prominent, I think. We almost always do well, and some of these competitions are even international! It is so exciting to be able to have this experience as a student, and it truly was the highlight of my university experience!
If you want to read the official article, you can find it at this link!
If you want to learn more about the competition we attended, information for the 2017 competition can be found here.
I can’t wait to see what Lakehead students will be up to next!
Lakehead Saradise 