NSO Divisions

by Dana Jevarjian

The Competitive Events Institute of NSO and the Career Development Office sponsored its second annual Career Day Competition Day at the RI Convention Center on October 6, 2005. There were approximately 900 students, faculty and staff on hand to watch students compete in role-play scenarios with industry judges. Each competitor had six minutes to present a case resolution followed by a question and answer session with the judges. The judges then picked a winner and provided competitor feedback. In addition to the valuable experience of competing before the industry judges, all competitors and winners received valuable prizes.

I competed in a Human Resource Role Play Case, which took me a good week of reviewing my case and training. I was presented the following case: I was the manager of a store and I had to make sure that all of my employees adhered to a dress code. Unfortunately, not all of my employees were too pleased by this, so I had to find a way to get them to dress according to the code.

I took the stage, presented my case and the judges came at me strong. They asked some very unpredictable questions, but since I was prepared, it was a breeze. It felt like a million years as they tallied up the scores but when they presented the winners…I had won! I was a member of DECA and FBLA in high school, but this was my first time winning 1st place in any competition! As I was presented with my medal and gift certificate, a feeling like no other came over me. It was a feeling of pure excitement and accomplishment. My advice to anyone thinking about competing is to just get out there and do it! You might feel afraid, as I did the first time, but just get it done and you will be glad you did!