A pair of first-year Business – Marketing students punched above their weight with a win at the Durham College Marketing and Sales Competitions during Reading Week.
Hayat Asim and Atharv Grover were competing in the marketing challenge for the first time.
“This win honestly means a lot, we have been working really hard, especially being first year students. Winning it is something we couldn’t have imagined,” said Grover.
They were energized by the win and hope to come back next year.
“It’s been a learning experience and we’re excited to keep moving forward and participate next year,” said Asim.
Shara James, who came first in the sales competition, was emotional as she accepted her trophy. She said competitions like this are vital to developing marketing skills.
“Competitions like this not only look good on your resume, but it builds your confidence,” said James, “and when you’re able to present in front of your colleagues, it makes it so much easier to go out into the world and do the same.”
The event attracted many industry sponsors who came to present their case studies, judge, and network with students. Fastenal, a supply chain solutions company, had its case chosen for students to make a pitch in the first round.
Emma Carrique, Fatenal’s regional recruiter for Ontario, said the company sometimes recruits right from the event.
“Last year at the sales competition we hired some students out of it, and one that we hired is still with us today,” she said. “Clearly, I’m seeing the best of the best students. It’s nice to see that and hopefully the competition makes an impact on them.”
Alan McLuskie with Paradigm Plumbing had his case chosen for the final round. Students were asked to create a marketing plan for the company entering a new locale.
“I feel like there was definitely a level of comprehension with the importance of digital marketing and creative new ideas,” said McLuskie. “Considering the inexperience in the business world, there was a confidence and deep knowledge of potential opportunities in the business world from students.
The competition was organized and hosted by Terry Peddlesden, a professor in the Marketing program at Durham College. He said this year was “spectacular.”
He said the college plans to step up even further in coming years by opening competition to other schools as well.
“The sales competition we’re going to test going intercollegiate, my goal was within five years to go intercollegiate, that would have been 2028, but now we’re going for 2025,” he said. “We’re hoping to do that with the marketing competition within five years as well.”