Standing out in a competitive world is an extremely valuable skill for any business student to have. Members of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) at Florida International University (FIU) offered a chance for all FIU business students to learn to distinguish themselves, during the fifth annual Business Olympics on February 1, 2014. For the first time, the Business Olympics was offered in conjunction with FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
This Saturday day-long event, organized by FBLA-PBL’s Kevin Carballe, presented a full roster of individual competitions. Thirty-five participants demonstrated their abilities to corporate judges and judges from the College of Business including Dean David R. Klock.
“Objective Events” offered competition in two dozen specific subjects including Business Communication, Cost Accounting, Health Care Administration, Hospitality Management, Marketing Concepts, Real Estate and Sports Management & Marketing.
Students also demonstrated their abilities in case competitions such as Business Decision Making, Business Ethics, Financial Analysis & Decision Making and other topics.
“The Business Olympics gave our students an important opportunity to showcase their skills and interact with representatives from sponsoring businesses who hire our graduates,” said Gloria Deckard, associate dean of the Landon Undergraduate School, who also served as a judge. “We were so impressed with each of the students we interviewed in the competition, and proud of the academic and co-curricular experiences at FIU Business that have contributed to these student success stories.”
Sandy Segura, a Marketing major, said the day was very worthwhile as students received instant feedback from judges concerning their strengths and areas to work on.
“The case in the Business Decision Making competition concerned how to improve employee relationships between Generation X and the Millenials to decrease the rate of the Millenials leaving the company,” she said. “My solution involved maintaining a good work environment, proper ethical behavior and having company retreats and other group activities.”
Segura captured the first place medal in the event and won seven other medals as well.
Student Stephanie Castillo earned the title of “Future Business Executive,” the highest award given at the Business Olympics.
Students land employment opportunities.
Some of the participants left the event with more than medals and valuable experience.
Three students from the College of Business were offered internships abroad from Vladimir Diaz of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Elliana Lopera from Hilton Worldwide offered a full-time management position and two internships to students from the School of Hospitality.
“Business Olympics offers the opportunity for students to do more than just shake hands and be interviewed,” said Gedma Estrada, FBLA-PBL president. “Being able to demonstrate abilities made it a valuable day for all participants.”
