The BCIT School of Business + Media’s recent High School Case Competition was more than an academic event – it was a dynamic showcase of talent and innovation. Drawing in over 30 high school students from secondary schools in Burnaby, this competition exemplified the hands-on and industry-focused approach to learning at BCIT. Sponsored by Chartered Professional Accountants British Columbia (CPA BC), and student club Enactus BCIT, the case competition provided a rare chance for young minds to tackle real-world business challenges.
The journey began with three 2-hour mentorship sessions over three weeks, led by 15 School of Business + Media student volunteers mostly from the Enactus BCIT student club. Guided by faculty Yasmin Alami, these sessions equipped participants with fundamental skills in accounting and business strategy. The teams, with their newfound knowledge, dove headfirst into the main competition on April 27.
For three intense hours, students pored over a challenging case study, putting their skills to the test. A panel of esteemed judges, including Kenton Low, Dean of the School of Business + Media; Robin Day, Associate Dean of Accounting, Finance and Insurance; Yasmin Alami, Faculty, BCIT Accounting; Johanne Li from CPA BC; and Alisson McKillop from School District 41, evaluated each presentation, ultimately awarding top honors to the most innovative solutions.
An opportunity to gain real-world experience
Randy Kamiya, teacher at the Burnaby Central Secondary School, emphasized the uniqueness of this experience, stating, “It’s incredible for high school students to compete in such a formal setting usually reserved for university students. My kids thrive on the chance to collaborate and compete at this level.”
Alina Huang, a high school participant from Burnaby Central Secondary School, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the fusion of theory and practice in a competitive yet enjoyable setting. “This competition allowed me to channel my passion for problem-solving into real-world business challenges. Learning from mentors, teammates, and competitors enriched my skills and broadened my perspective,” she remarked.
Kamiya also praised the event’s seamless organization, attributing its success to the diligent efforts of BCIT students and the BCIT School of Business + Media in orchestrating every aspect. “From pre-competition lessons to the event day, the organization was exceptional, with lots of hard work to ensure everything ran smoothly,” he acknowledged.
Yasmin Alami, both an instructor and the author of the practice case, expressed her satisfaction, saying, “It was immensely gratifying to witness the collaboration between high school students and their mentors as they pieced together the intricacies of the case, collectively tackling challenges and absorbing fundamental accounting and business principles.”
Thank you to Larry Jung, CPABC, for an inspiring talk on the CPA career journey development; Carol Martina, BCIT High School Partnership Manager for her guidance; and the dedicated participating high school teachers and Burnaby School District-SD41 for making this collaborative event a success!
For high school students considering a career in business and media, BCIT School of Business + Media offers a gateway to success. Explore our programs and resources today.