Students pitch themselves at Maverick Networking Night
The University of Texas at Arlington College of Business teamed up with Myngly, JTaylor and Associates, and Texas Young Professionals to host an Elevator Pitch Competition and Maverick Networking Night event on November 8th, 2024.
Attendees of Maverick Networking Night mingle and network after an Elevator Pitch Competition. (Photo by Megan Piotrowski)
The night began with an Elevator Pitch Competition, where students were able to pitch themselves in a one-and-a-half-minute summary in front of judges to compete for cash prizes.
“It’s important for students to be able to articulate their value clearly, concisely, and compellingly,” said Dr. Daniel Usera, UTA College of Business Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing. “The whole exercise forces them to think about what their true value-adds are to employers. Also, it gets them in the habit of articulating their value and working on being an effective communicator.”
Prior to the final round of the competition, participants submitted video pitches to be judged by UTA College of Business faculty, then performed their pitches for a second round in front of a live panel, before finally participating in the final round of the competition. This competition allowed students to practice their professional communication skills to be used for networking and other professional purposes.
“The elevator pitch competition gave me an opportunity to pitch my skills and practice everything I’ve learned about professional communication through my college career,” said Blossom Nguyen, Marketing and Management Senior. “I was able to practice techniques to market myself to companies to land things like internships and jobs.”
Participants of the Maverick Networking Night Elevator Pitch Competition pose while showing a “Mav Up!” hand sign. (Courtesy Photo)
Between the second and final rounds, students were provided feedback and coaching to perfect their final pitches and set them up for a successful future.
“After the first phase, I received feedback and advice from the judges and really focused on how to use that new information,” Nguyen said. “I was able to take that feedback and perfect my final pitch. They really helped me present myself and be consistent. They taught me to present an professional version of myself while still being my true self.”
Cash prizes for the winners were provided by Myngly - an app that helps professionals navigate networking events confidently and efficiently, and JTaylor and Associates - a Certified Public Accountant firm that provides their clients services including accounting, tax services, and healthcare and business consulting.
The winners were:
Blossom Nguyen - $700
Matthew Logan - $500
Jesse Shin - $ 300
The winners of the Maverick Networking Night Elevator Pitch Competition, Matthew Logan (Left), Blossom Nguyen (Center), and Jesse Shin (Right) pose for a photo with their winnings. (Courtesy Photo)
After the competition, the participants and students attending UTA had a chance to mingle with members of Texas Young Professionals, a community of professionals ranging in age from their 20s to their mid-40s, as well as other professionals from around the DFW metroplex. This networking event, dubbed Maverick Networking Night, allowed students to gain a better understanding of the local business climate, practice their communication skills, and grow their professional networks in preparation for life after graduation.
“I am an avid networker myself and I have experienced the power of making connections and putting yourself out there. I’ve been able to acquire clients, sponsors, and so many other advantages just by going to networking events and meeting people,” said Usera. “The concept of walking into a room full of strangers sounds crazy on paper, but once you learn how to do it, it becomes a strategic career skill that can be a force multiplier to your success. For our students, this was an opportunity to attend their first networking event in a safe learning environment.”
The Elevator Pitch Competition and Maverick Networking Night created an atmosphere of competition, education, and communication as students exercised their skills, grew their networks, and prepared for their futures.