Pulling an all-nighter is a common college experience
for many students. Sponsoring an all-nighter is a little
different.
Every year, global consulting firm Deloitte hosts the
Deloitte Consulting Case Challenge. Teams of first-year
MBA students voluntarily work strenuously through the
night. The next morning—often not having slept for more
than 24 hours and fueled by little but adrenaline and
caffeine—students shine up their sunken eyes and present
case scenario solutions in front of senior Deloitte
staff and McCombs faculty.
Today, case competitions are held throughout the year.
But when Deloitte approached McCombs 16 years ago
offering to host a challenge, it was an innovative
concept and the first of its kind at the school.
“The Deloitte Consulting Case Challenge exposes McCombs
students to realistic consulting career situations and
the intellectual challenges of helping clients solve
their most complex business problems,” says Tony Forcrum,
Deloitte’s national managing director for performance
excellence. “At the same time, our judges and other
involved Deloitte practitioners have the opportunity to
observe the consulting and presentation skills of the
students and their ability to think on their feet,” he
says.
This year, 16 teams of four to five members exercised
those quick-thinking skills during the challenge.
Participants met at 5 p.m. to learn about a case problem
from Deloitte partners and were then set loose to
research, develop solutions and prepare a presentation.
The students reconvened around 8 a.m. the following day
to deliver the presentations. Judges met to discuss
their top four choices; those teams presented again, and
the top three received prizes. The whole process, though
grueling, is also quite rewarding for participants.
“You are presenting in front of senior management at
Deloitte, and it is an eye-opening experience,” says
Shveta Pillai, MBA ’08 and a member of the 2006 winning
team. “Everything you thought you were good at becomes
everything you need to work on.”
The challenge gives participants exposure to the
realities of the consulting industry, a résumé-enhancing
opportunity, valuable feedback and a team-building
experience. What’s more, it offers participants a chance
to network with Deloitte professionals—contacts that
often pay off for students who later intern with or are
hired by the company.
“The consulting challenge was the only time I have ever
stayed up all night and had it pay off the following
afternoon,” says Lyndsey Thornett, MBA ’08 and a member
of the 2006 winning team. She will intern with Deloitte
this summer in McLean, Va.
For more information on corporate giving and involvement
in student initiatives, please contact Carolyn Miles,
director of corporate relationship management, at
512-475-8176 or
carolyn.miles@mccombs.utexas.edu.
In December, PricewaterhouseCoopers launched an employee giving campaign to benefit the Accounting Department. The international accounting and consulting firm will match employee contributions to the fund on a one-to-one basis. The fund qualifies for the McCombs Matching Gift Program as well, assuring PricewaterhouseCoopers employees that their donations will create a lasting legacy for the Accounting Department.
Support from this fund will benefit students, faculty and programs in the Accounting Department. Examples include a summer camp to expose disadvantaged high school students to careers in accounting, student scholarships, research support for faculty, an academic conference and a speaker series.
“We could not be a top program without the opportunity to offer our faculty and students programs and support, which are only possible through private contributions to the department,” says Ross Jennings, department chair.
For more information on endowments, contact Sandy White, director of individual giving and endowments, at 512-475-8179 or sandy.white @mccombs.utexas.edu.
ExxonMobil employees now have the opportunity to make a huge impact on the McCombs School of Business through the ExxonMobil Employees Excellence Fund, an endowment formed by a combination of employee giving and corporate matches. The endowment will support students, faculty and programs.
The endowment is unique in that ExxonMobil provides a three-to-one match on all employee contributions. Additionally, the endowment qualifies for the McCombs Matching Gift Program, made possible by Red McCombs’ commitment to the school’s future. The combination of these two matches leverages an individual donation by a factor of eight.
“ExxonMobil has a long history of supporting the university, and the fund we set up really builds on that history. McCombs graduates can maximize their individual contributions and maintain their relationship with the university,” says ExxonMobil Regional Controller David Middlebrooks, MBA ’80 and one of the endowments’ key organizers.
For more information on creating an endowment, contact Sandy White, director of individual giving and endowments, at 512-475-8179 or sandy.white @mccombs.utexas.edu.
