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Trulaske Students Win Purdue's HR Case Competition
Left to right: Professor Daryl Smith, Nathan Virtue, Jasmine Salmon, Taylor Jett, Victoria Lane, Regan Horvatich, Thomas Hartford and Professor Christine McCullough
Students in the Trulaske College of Business recently took first place in the Purdue HR Case Competition and Conference held by Purdue University. This was the second consecutive year that students participated in this impactful experience-centered learning opportunity. By engaging in real-world scenarios, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills that cannot be fully taught in a classroom. Case competitions, in particular, challenge students to apply academic knowledge to complex business or social issues, fostering creativity and resilience under pressure. These hands-on experiences not only enhance academic learning but also prepare students for the professional world, equipping them with practical insights and a competitive edge in their careers.
In addition to the team win, Taylor Jett was awarded "Most Outstanding Presenter" at this year's competition for her notable performance. Taylor currently serves as the President of Mizzou's Society of Human Resource Management. "I was truly honored to win the individual award of Most Outstanding Presenter", she said. "I couldn't have done it without all the support from my teammates and amazing advisors. A lot of hard work and practice was put into the presentation, and really understanding the case and HR topics helped me in the prepping process.“
A Reflection by Thomas Hartford
Participating in the Purdue HR Case Competition on Nov. 7 was an incredible experience that tested our problem-solving skills and teamwork. Held at Purdue University, the competition brought together students from various institutions, challenging us to tackle a realistic HR issue. As a finance and computer science student with little background in HR, I knew this competition would push me out of my comfort zone. However, I approached it as an opportunity to expand my skills and learn more about a new field.
Our team — Taylor Jett, Jasmine Salmon, Victoria Lane, Regan Horvatich, Nathan Virtue and I — began with a simple goal: to craft a solid response to the case. But as we delved deeper, we decided to take a risk by reframing our presentation to address a factor outside the immediate scope of the case. The original problem presented was relatively straightforward, but we noticed a gap in the analysis that we felt was important to address. Taking the risk to include this angle required several late nights of research and preparation, but it ultimately paid off — we won the competition because of our unique approach.
The experience was both nerve-wracking and rewarding, especially when we learned our efforts had been recognized.
The support from our Trulaske faculty was invaluable. Professors Daryl Smith and Christie McCullough guided us throughout our preparation, helping us refine our ideas and encouraging us to push boundaries. This experience not only enhanced my analytical skills but also strengthened my confidence in taking calculated risks, a lesson I know will be valuable in my professional career.
Expanding into an unfamiliar field like HR showed me that, regardless of my background, I can contribute valuable insights and thrive in a collaborative environment.