Finalist for Xylem Inc. Kogod Case Competition

Last November, I signed up for the annual Kogod Case Competition as a solo participant. I was randomly placed on a team of four—two freshmen and one other senior—with limited experience in business. Together, we researched and developed a pitch on AI integration in wastewater management for Xylem Inc., and to our surprise, we were named one of seven national finalists in December.

While juggling a full plate—an internship, a campus job, and 16 credits—I stepped up to lead and manage our team through months of research, ideation, and late-night revisions. We eventually presented our final pitch to a panel of 10 industry judges. Although we didn’t place, the experience was incredibly rewarding.

I walked away with a deeper understanding of sustainability, wastewater systems, urban planning, and most importantly, collaborative leadership under pressure.