The Consulting Practicum course was an amazing chance to apply what we learned in other classes to a real-world business case.
From the beginning of the course, teamwork and structure were emphasized. We started building a strong foundation by creating a team charter, which set up our values, goals, and how we will handle any possible conflicts. We had to come up with a team name as well, so we introduced ourselves, learned about each other’s backgrounds, and came up with the name Paradigm Shifters.
The business case came from the Milwaukee Brewers, a major league baseball organization. Although baseball is not a popular sport in my home country of Turkey, the project opened new doors for me to improve myself both culturally and professionally. Thanks to the organization, the chance to visit the stadium, attend an informative meeting, and watch a baseball game live were great experiences. Attending the Brewers game allowed me to gain firsthand experience of the energy from the fans, the atmosphere of the stadium, and the role of baseball in American culture. This short trip made the project we were working on feel much more real and relevant and gave me a chance to bring my new knowledge to my consulting team.
Collaboration was another core part of my experience in this project. Brainstorming with my team members blended different ideas, perspectives, and experiences like baking a cake, and it was both exciting and insightful. We worked on the ambiguity and uncertainty of the case by applying creative and critical thinking. Other major learning points were keeping clear communication, demonstrating active listening, and staying aligned between our team and the client and professors. Looking back, this applied project improved me professionally and personally. It improved my teamworking and decision-making skills, and stressed the importance of being both flexible and structured in real-life business contexts. It was a great experience, and I am excited to take my improved skills into my future career.
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