PTCMW’s Fourth Annual Graduate Student Consulting Challenge Competition
How Does the Consulting Challenge Work?
1. The first 30 students to register will be able to participate.
2. Students will then be placed on one of 5 teams with students from other universities.
3. PDRI will present teams with an RFP that outlines a real organizational challenge.
4. Teams will work together to develop a proposal and presentation.
5. PDRI representatives and expert I-Os will judge presentations and rate proposals.
6. One team will win the challenge and be awarded with $1,250, prize structures vary for all other teams.
Team Composition: PTCMW leadership will review applications in regards to previous work or research experience, university affiliation, and year in school in order to develop diverse and fair teams.
Why Should You Participate?
Experience A Realistic Job Preview: PTCMW and PDRI will present a real challenge local organizations are currently facing in a realistic RFP (request for proposal) format. Students will present as if they were external consultants bidding on a consulting project. Solutions will be judged by expert practitioners based on theory, technical merit, and innovation.
Expand Professional Network: Students currently enrolled in local I-O and related programs will be assigned to a group made up of students with differing expertise, knowledge, and program affiliations. After students get assigned into teams, everyone is invited to connect with PTCMW board members at a Happy Hour in DC.
Develop Consulting Skills: Teams will be responsible for building an effective team, developing products, and presenting results.
Build Communication Skills: Each team will present to an independent panel of expert I-O judges and receive invaluable feedback.
Win Prizes: The winning team will receive $1,250, and the runner-up team will win $750. In addition, every participating team will receive free 2017 PTCMW student membership, and the top three teams will also win free admission to PTCMW’s 2017Talent Connection & Networking Event, where they will be recognized in front of over 200 local I-O academics and practitioners.
Student Testimonials:
"The consulting challenge was an amazing experience. It was such a great opportunity to network with the other graduate students, work on a real-word RFP, and to get great feedback from experts in the field. I will definitely be signing up for the next one."
“I gained invaluable practical experience that will undoubtedly enhance my career prospects. In addition to working on a diverse project team comprised of I-O graduate students from prestigious universities across the east coast, we were provided developmental feedback from esteemed I-O psychologists from the most renowned consulting companies. This experience generated a level of self-confidence in my professional skills and ability to become an elite researcher and practitioner. Perhaps most importantly, the Graduate Student Consulting Competition allowed me to become visible to the large network of respected I-O psychologists in and around Washington, D.C. I am very much looking forward to participating in PTCMW’s 2015 Graduate Student Consulting Competition and further developing my professional skillset.”
"The PTCMW Consulting Challenge was my first taste of applied I-O practice. I learned valuable lessons about the industry that will prove vital in future organizational consulting. Through the Challenge, Iestablished professional connections with both graduate students and I-O professionals that I still maintain today. It really was a cool experience. It’s a great entry-level opportunity for I-Os to get some early experience under their belt.”
Event Details:
Day 1 (in-person attendance required)
When: Thursday September 14th, 4:00-9:00pm
Where: GWU Foggy Bottom Campus: Monroe Hall; Room 113
Who: Students & PTCMW Leadership
What:
● Meet the PDRI Challenge Representative
● Learn the challenge topic (in RFP form)
● Network with students and practitioners
● Meet your team (PTCMW Leadership will assign you to a team)
● Begin planning and working with your team
● Food and drinks will be provided at the happy hour
Days 2-4
When: Friday through Sunday
Where: Students designate meeting locations
Who: Students
What:
● Work independently with your team
● Draft a 5-page response to the RFP
● Create a 30-minute PowerPoint presentation
Day 5 (in-person attendance required)
When: Monday September 18, 7:30am-2:00pm
Where: PDRI Campus, Rooms TBD
Who: Students, PTCMW Leadership, PDRI Representatives, & Expert I-O Judges
What:
● Deliver a 30 minute PowerPoint presentation to a panel of I-O judges
● Engage in 30 minutes of Q&A with the panel and get feedback
● Stick around for free bagels, coffee, and networking
● Winners will be notified before the fall event
How to Register:
Registration Deadline: Apply by Wednesday, September 13th.
Eligibility: Students must be in a Master’s or Doctoral program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Management or related program. Students must commit to being in person for the event and to contribute equally and fairly to their team. We encourage students from outside of the greater Washington, DC Metro to participate also. PTCMW membership is not required to participate!
Application Materials:
· Complete online application on ptcmw.org.
· Resume/CV
· $15 application fee
Email Resume/CV to: Nikki Blacksmith nikkiblacksmith@gmail.com
Questions? Contact: Nikki Blacksmith (nikkiblacksmith@gmail.com) or Andrew Naber (AndrewMNaber@gmail.com)
About Your Sponsor:
Since 1975, PDRI, a CEB Company, has been a recognized, industry-leading provider of talent solutions. PDRI’s professional service offerings help commercial and government clients hire, train, certify, develop, manage, and motivate diverse workforces in high-performance organizations. PDRI is a wholly owned subsidiary of CEB, the leading member-based advisory company and the largest employer of I-O Psychologists around the globe. We are happy to support the I-O community, including PTCMW, and are always on the lookout for outstanding I-O psychologists – including recent graduates – to support our vibrant and growing business. Please visit our web-site for more information: https://www.pdri.com/
