Students around campus are competing to identify the best way to locate a dean’s stolen laptop, which possesses secretive information. Using information systems, students will analyze the mock case and prepare a presentation on it Friday.
Every year the Masters of Science in Information Systems Association, or MSISA, has the 3+1 Case Competition, during which students from all majors and grades compete against one another to win cash prizes, scholarships, potential internships and jobs. The final presentation will be judged by executives from this year’s co-sponsors, Accenture and KPMG, and IU faculty and alumni.
“If you present well in front of these companies, it can lead to a job or internship if they see you can perform,” Ryan Santorsola, president of MSISA, said.
The competition offers both a cash prize from $1,000 for first place to $500 for third place and up to $3,000 in MSIS scholarships.
The name of the competition comes from the number of participants on each team: three undergraduate students and one MSIS graduate student.
The competition begins on a Monday with a case study workshop and ends on the following Friday with the final presentations.
“It does require quite a bit of effort from the students,” Prabhakar said, “It’s not something you can just get in the morning and finish by night.”
The competition is distinct because all majors and grades are welcome to participate and compete against one another, Prabhakar said.
Students who participate in the competition are not required to have experience dealing with information systems.
Prabhakar said there is a misconception about what information systems are and what individuals do with them.
“When people think about information systems, they think about fixing computers or programming,” he said.
Instead, working with information systems means individuals are using technology to collect, organize, store and communicate information.
This process transformed the business world by creating value for companies, Prabhakar said.
The inclusive nature of the competition allows for students to explore possible interests in information systems, he said.
Prabhakar said some students will not be interested after the competition, but those who are, discover the master’s program.
“I entered because I’m considering applying for the +Kelley program to get an MIS degree and wanted to see what it would be like,” IU sophomore Kevin Bhatt said.
For some students, like last year’s 3+1 Case Competition runner-up and current Vice President of MSISA, Armaan Shah, the validation of getting to finals and winning a MSIS scholarship, can help make decisions for their future endeavors.
“I had heard of the program before, but it was a kicker,” Shah said.
