“What is JDC?”
“You don’t know what JDC is?!”

The JDC Competitor Profile is an interview with a former JDC (Team Ryerson) member who will share their experiences and convince you why you should join JDC.

Michelle Bray

Category participated in: Marketing

JDC Central - Team Ryerson (2009-2010) - Marketing category

1. What did you imagine JDC to be before signing up? (expectations, assumptions, first impressions)
I expected JDC to be a lot of work, but also very rewarding. When I walked into the first team meeting, I had no idea how much more JDC is than just a case competition. Immediately I saw that it is about the team as a whole (sports, social, and of course charity). My first impressions were that this group of people I was meeting was full of a lot of fun and interesting people, and I was right.

2. What qualities did you have, that made you a viable member on the team?
I completed the three year advanced diploma in Marketing at Sheridan College, and while at Sheridan participated in two different academic case competitions (Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition in November 2008 and the Vanier BDC Case Challenge in February 2009). My experience in case competitions as well as practical experience from doing direct marketing for one summer and working as an intern in the marketing department of Metro Ontario Inc. last summer gave me first hand knowledge of the industry. I also enjoy doing presentations and can think quickly on my feet which were both assets for JDC.

3. How did you fit JDC into your busy schedule?
I was lucky because I only had 4 classes last semester, however I made sure my manager at work knew I could not work during the week and gave her advance notice before any team events. I set aside a block of time every week to make sure I had cases lined up for training and had rooms booked for the marketing team to train in. It was tricky some weeks, especially around midterms, however I made sure to dedicate the appropriate amount of time to JDC to keep both myself and my team on track.

4. What were some transferable skills that you got out of JDC, and how did you apply them to other areas of your life/career?
JDC enabled me to improve on my public speaking skills and being able to think on my feet. These skills I apply to job interviews where it is vital to appear confident and be able to answer questions quickly. JDC also provided me with the opportunity to network with other students who are my future colleagues.

5. What is your best memory? (feelings during training, during competition, after competition)
There are so many amazing memories, it would be impossible to pick just one. From training, my one of my best memories is just getting to know my team mates (my marketing case team mates as well as the rest of the JDC Ryerson team). During the competition, my best memory is walking into the room to present to the judges and seeing my team mates sitting there to support us. After the competition the memory that will always stay with me is everyone surrounding the case/debate/sport/social teams doing “spirit fingers” while they waited to see if they would be called to the stage. The support from everyone was incredible. Once classes started up again, I will also never forget passing team mates in the halls and stopping to talk because we all miss each other and went through JDC withdrawal!

6. Why should a student join JDC?
JDC has so many benefits; it is not only something to help build a resume, but the skills and memories you will take away are priceless. When in a job interview and the interviewer asks questions about times you used time management, conflict resolution, or team building situations, JDC is the perfect example. It will also help you to meet other Commerce students in your own and other majors. JDC has actually helped introduce me to other student groups I would like to join next year. It will help to build confidence when it comes to public speaking and presentations and offers networking opportunities. JDC will be the best weekend of any student’s undergrad career.

Thanks, Michelle!

“What is JDC?”
“You don’t know what JDC is?!”

The JDC Competitor Profile is an interview with a former JDC (Team Ryerson) member who will share their experiences and convince you why you should join JDC.

Rachel Bosley

Category participated in: Marketing

JDC Central - Team Ryerson (2009-2010) - Marketing category; Rachel (left)

1. What did you imagine JDC to be before signing up? (expectations, assumptions, first impressions)
Before I signed up for JDC I imagined it being similar to other case competitions I had participated in. I never truly understood the atmosphere and the actual spirit of the competition before I watched it unfold around me.

2. What qualities did you have, that made you a viable member on the team?
I had experience in two other academic case competitions prior to signing up for JDC. Other qualities I possessed were teamwork skills, willingness to learn, lots of experience in presenting and a strong education in marketing from Sheridan College.

3. How did you fit JDC into your busy schedule?
I’ll admit it wasn’t easy to fit JDC in my schedule. The semester it all started, I was working two jobs and balancing 6 courses. I needed to be able to work with the coaches about 1 hour per week and the team members for at least 3 or 4 hours per week to cut cases and talk about our strategies. I also reside in Hamilton and I had to commit to the commute every day. It was a lot of work, but in the end it paid off. If I had to do it all over again, I would.

4. What were some transferable skills that you got out of JDC, and how did you apply them to other areas of your life/career?
Our team was fortunate to work with multiple professors that helped coach, train and steer us in the right direction. Training for JDC has helped me prepare for future courses and helped me realize my strengths and weaknesses in a group setting. I learned the areas which I need to build on and which aspects to avoid. I have also gained better presentation skills and confidence while standing in front of an audience.

5. What is your best memory? (feelings during training, during competition, after competition)
One of favourite moments of JDC was the anxiety as we approached the presentation room. I remember being nervous about the presentation being open to the public, and I knew some of our team members would be watching. As soon as we stood and faced the judges, it was relieving to see friendly faces behind them. It felt great to receive support from our team.

6. Why should a student join JDC?
JDC is an amazing opportunity to get involved with Ryerson and get to know some of the top students in the Ted Rogers School of Management. It is also a great chance to learn new skills and network with some industry leaders.

Thanks, Rachel!

“What is JDC?”
“You don’t know what JDC is?!”

The JDC Competitor Profile is an interview with a former JDC (Team Ryerson) member who will share their experiences and convince you why you should join JDC.

Stephanie Marangoni

Category participated in: Sports

JDC Central - Team Ryerson - Sports (2009-2010)

1. What did you imagine JDC to be before signing up?

I imagined JDC to be a competition much like all the others, where competing schools do not have much interaction with each other. I expected to have fun, but I did not really know what JDC was. All I knew at the time of signing up was that I wanted to get involved in the school and I loved playing sports, so JDC seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to do both.

2. What qualities did you have, that made you a viable member on the team?

The qualities that I have that made me a viable team member were my previous experience playing soccer and being involved in sports for many years, as well as my ability to work well with a team. JDC requires A LOT of sportsmanship, which was made clear on the day of tryouts. Therefore, my ability to encourage and support my team members as well as work well with my opponents really made me fit in well with JDC.

3. How did you fit JDC into your busy schedule?

We had sports practice about 1-2 times a week, and on other days that the full team couldn’t meet we worked out on our own time. In addition to my practice, I was taking ballet classes twice a week which really helped my muscle strength. If you love what you’re involved in then you’re going to want to make time for it.

4. What were some transferable skills that you got out of JDC, and how did you apply them to other areas of your life/career?

Some of the transferable skills I got out of JDC were my ability to meet new people and network with others, work as a team and push myself to the limit. Both mornings of the competition we had to wake up at 5 and 5:30 am in order to play our first game. In life or careers there will be times that may seem difficult, but if you support each other and really try to be your best, anything can be accomplished.

5. What is your best memory? (feelings during training, during competition, after competition)

My best memory was after our games when both teams would jump around and huddle together screaming “AFFECTION! AFFECTION!”. It didn’t matter who won or lost, we were all friends. I have never felt such school spirit in my life, and if you get to experience that atleast once in your school career, it will make a memory that will last a lifetime.

6. Why should a student join JDC?

You should join JDC because you will get so much more out of your university experience. You will meet people from your own school and other schools, you will gain experience that you can use for your future careers, and you will have an amazing and unforgettable weekend like no other!

Thanks, Stephanie!