Students Reflect on Foster MBA Core Case Competition
Description
In this episode of Conversations on Careers & Professional Life, we go inside the Autumn Quarter Integrated Case Competition at the Foster School of Business—a one-week sprint where MBA teams analyze an acquisition case, submit a written recommendation, and deliver a 25-minute presentation to faculty, alumni, and industry judges.
I speak with three students from finalist teams:
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Nat Fernandes (Class of 2027) – whose team placed third, emphasizing early alignment and organized execution.
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Josh Gonzales (Class of 2027) – part of the second-place team, highlighting team cohesion built from day one and the importance of energetic delivery.
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Andrew Parriot (Class of 2027) – from the winning team, reflecting on iteration, practice, and transforming earlier missteps into strength.
We discuss:
• How teams approached analysis, collaboration, and slide design
• The value of early relationship-building and role clarity
• The pressure and payoff of presenting to the entire class
• What these students learned about communication, strategy, and themselves along the way
A great listen for prospective MBAs, current students preparing for next year, and anyone curious about how high-performing teams deliver under tight deadlines.
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