The MEM Program recently held its first-ever case study competition to provide students with real-world challenges. Spearheaded by the leadership team of Brandon McConnell, Kalene Thomas and Latha Dombro (along with ISE alum Tammy Montgomery,) the event aimed to equip MEM students with practical skills for their future careers.
McConnell, MEM interim director, highlighted the project’s inception, stating, “MEM is always looking to innovate. We were looking for experiential learning opportunities that helped students build practical skills.” McConnell emphasized the importance of hands-on experiences in fostering critical thinking among students.
Montgomery, an alum deeply involved in the MEM program, played a crucial role in shaping the competition. Reflecting on her involvement, Montgomery explained, “This idea came about after watching our MEM students during final presentations.” She stressed the importance of preparing students for the challenges they would face in their careers, even in technically oriented roles.
The heart of the competition lay in the case study crafted by Montgomery herself, drawing from her extensive experience in management consulting. Montgomery revealed, “The case is based on my personal client experiences working with government clients and helping them navigate through the planning and implementation of technology solutions.”
Dombro, MEM Program Specialist, highlighted the project’s goals. “The case study competition has been an idea floating around since the beginning of MEM,” Dombro stated. The aim was clear: to provide students with hands-on experience in gathering information, analyzing data, and presenting findings—a vital skill set for future endeavors.
Montgomery emphasized thorough preparation and professionalism when asked about the winning team’s distinguishing factor. “The winning team did their homework,” she remarked. “They connected with the audience and addressed the core of the problem before presenting a clear solution.”
The competition provided students with practical skills and simulated real-world scenarios. McConnell highlighted, “The judging would occur through the lens of evaluating them for potential management roles, not individual contributor roles.” This approach elevated the competition, offering students a realistic environment to assess their professional readiness.
The MEM Case Study Competition proved a significant milestone, offering students a platform to hone their skills and think critically about real-world problems. With the guidance of industry experts like Montgomery, MEM students are poised to excel in diverse fields and armed with technical expertise and managerial acumen.
Congratulations, Team Game Changers
The Game Changers, a team consisting of Hassan Almuzel and Goldan Azhagappaselvan, won the competition because they had a better understanding of the problem and the key issues facing the company. “This was evident in the quality of their recommendations, the nuances in their analysis, and the range of details included in their plan’s considerations,” explained McConnell. “Put simply, their recommendations were more complete.” According to the judges, it was obvious that the winning team had done their homework. “They connected with the audience and did a great job of addressing the core of the problem before presenting a clear solution,” Shared Montgomery. “They were prepared, professional and respectful to their ‘client’. These are all traits that my teams exercise daily when presenting to real clients and solving real-world problems.”
