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SHOWCASE CHALLENGE Q&A
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GENERAL

Q: How can I enter this challenge?

A: Fill out an application online. The application requires resume submittal with your LinkedIn profile.

 

Q: Who may enter this challenge?
A: Sophomores and Juniors in college, majoring in Sociology, Business, Engineering, Computer Science or related fields.

 

Q: How many students will be recruited?
A: A total of 70 students. We are targeting seven teams with 6-7 students per team. Each team will consists of students from multidisciplinary majors.

 

Q: How will teams be formed?
A: BRDG team will select and interview students mid-May.  BRDG team will form the team

based on compatibility in majors and interests.

 

Q: Will the teams have a coach?
A: Yes, each team will be assigned a dedicated Senior and Junior coaches. A Senior Coach is a seasoned

professional. A Junior Coach is an early career professional or a graduate student.

 

Q: Can I participate as an individual?
A: No, this is a project team competition.

 

Q: What role do the companies play?
A: Companies will have representatives for you to access as consultants for your project. They will provide a

wide variety of expertise from engineering, software development, marketing, and business savvy. You will be required to use these consultants and they will get to know your capabilities.

 

Q: What do I get from participating in this competition?

A: 

  • You will have exposure to the participating companies.

  • Participating companies will get to know you and your capabilities.

  • You will have a team-based project to add to your resume.

  • By winning this competition you will have “bragging rights” on your resume.

  • You will also learn about team dynamic, project management, business ethics, budget management and conflict resolution.

 

Q: What is the timeline?

A: This is last year's timeline and should only be used for estimates. Final timeline will be released soon.

  • May 1: Application Deadline

  • May 5 - 9: Team selection and Acceptance

  • May 17: in person onboarding (meeting coaches and assistant coaches) 

  • May 17 - July 31: Work on phase 1 of the competition

  • July 31: Phase 1 report due

  • August 1 - September 30: Work on phase 2 of the competition

  • October 1: Phase 2 report due

  • October 10: Competition day; present your project to judges from industry and your peers. 


PART 1: THE PROJECT CHALLENGE


Q: What type of challenges?
A: For this inauguration event, all projects will be multidisciplinary projects and will have a sustainable

component. The challenges will be variations of a theme. Constraints and criteria will be defined and you

will have the freedom to design your challenge within these constraints.

 

Q: What criteria are used to judge the challenge?

A: 

  • Clarity of message

  • Flow from first to final project submittal – “the why"

  • Team cohesiveness

  • Best use of internal resources

  • Effectiveness in utilizing consultants

  • Effectiveness in utilizing budget

  • Presentation quality and clarity

  • Presentation graphics

  • Understanding your client/audience

 

Q: Are there going to be different categories of challenges, and if yes, what are they?
A: Yes; students will choose their own solutions to environmentally sustainable challenges. Some 2024 projects are as follow: build an application to make recycling as a game, build modular indoor garden, create a censor to identify different recyclable plastics, and create a type of brick that utilizes recyclable PVCs.

 

Q: How will each team be funded?
A: Each team will receive $3500 to be used at their discretion. Teams will submit budget proposals and

manage their budgets. Funds can be used to purchase software and supplies, pay team members, attend a conference/class, travel needs, misc. Budgets must be approved by the committee and funds will not be

dispersed until project is completed, unless need is pre-approved.

 

Q: What does the competition day look like?
A: The first half of the day involves student presentations of their projects to the judges, and the second half involves a job fair where students will hear from and speak to company representatives. Exact schedule details will be provided closer to the date.

 

Q: What are the benefits of participating?
A: The BRDG Showcase Challenge provides you with an experience like no other – it is designed to prepare you

for your professional career and beyond. You will gain career readiness skills such as team work,

communication, leadership, and management skills. Not only will you be exposed to companies for potential internships and jobs, but you will be able to consult directly with them and learn more about each company.

This experience will not only help build your resume but provide the skills that set you apart from others in your

field.


Q: Will there be help to guide my team through the process?
A: Coaches will meet with the teams on a regular basis. You will also be required to consult with each of the participating companies.


Q: What are the time commitments and deadlines?

A: 

  • Project team will be announced in May 2025.

  • Project teams onboarding will be in May after teams are decided.

  • The project team will prepare during the summer. Virtual workshops on time and project management, team dynamics, conflict resolution, business ethics, and communication and leadership, will be delivered by coaches.

  • End of summer deliverables:

    • Team name and logo

    • Team members name, school, major, role in project

    • Project statement and purpose

    • Expected impact of project to society, short and long term

    • Budget plan

    • Project schedule

    • Impact on sustainability

    • Who are your clients / customer

  • Project design phase is 8/1-9/31

    • Additional deliverables

      • Where did you use AI – explain why

      • Update changes from your original submittals and why

      • Your effectiveness in using your resources: Time, Money, Consultants, Team Members, etc.

      • Clarity and effectiveness of your presentation

      • How well you meet your customer/client needs

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Q: Can I still participate if I have other commitments during summer (i.e. work, internship, vacation)?

A: Yes, but you will need to communicate about your availability in advance and ensure that you still have sufficient time to do your part of the project. However, you must be free for the entire duration of the presentation day, October 10th.

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PART 2: PRESENTATION DAY JOB FAIR

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Q: What is it?

A: A job fair where students can ask the questions and give their input to participating companies.

 

Q: How is this different from a traditional job fair?

A: This event provides not only the opportunity to meet and interview with companies, but also the opportunity to hear many company responses to other student questions during the "shark session". This will certainly help you prepare for your interview.

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You will get more time with recruiters than traditional job fairs!​​​

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Q: Who are the participating companies? 

A: ​TBD

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Q: What levels are companies hiring for?

A: Companies are hiring college students from freshman to seniors and graduates.

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Q: Are companies hiring specific majors?

A: Companies are hiring for all positions, but the following majors are specifically sought after: Architecture,

Archeology, Chemistry, Cloud Support, Computer Science, Drone Technology, Engineering (all disciplines),

Hands On testing, Information Security, Information Technology, Math, Model Builder, Modeling, RF Technology, Telecommunications, and Statistic Analyst.

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Q: How many students are companies looking for?

A: There are over 100 open positions that companies are looking to fill.

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Q: Can I register if my resume is not ready?

A: Yes – we encourage that you register as soon as possible with your current (unfinished) resume and attend the preparation workshops. Final resume can be (re)submitted up to September 20th at 8 p.m. PDT.

 

Q: Will recruiters be present at the event?

A: Yes – all recruiters will attend in person.

 

Q: Will virtual attendees be able to have one-on-one conversations with the company guests?

A: Virtual service is not available for this event.

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Q: What is the event agenda?

A: 

1. Registration

2. Company presentations

3. Students ask company questions

4. Lunch and workshop on how to present yourselves to company representatives

5. Speed networking with company representatives  

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Q: What is the dress code for the event?

A: Dress to impress: Non sneaker closed toe shoes, twill pants, a shirt with collar and a jacket if you have one.

 

Q: Are we required to have a background in tech in order to apply for positions?

A: No. We suggest that you review job openings on the website of each of the above companies for the type

of positions for which they are hiring. For example, please see the listings for Union Pacific at the following link:  https://up.jobs/search-jobs.html

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Q: Will there be a panel of company representatives for a Q&A session?

A: Yes.

 

Q: Will there be representatives other than recruiters?

A: Yes.

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Q: How many companies will be recruiting?

A: TBA

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Q: Who should I contact to ask questions?

A: Please email brdg.bridgetoconnect@gmail.com.

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