Alumna judge reflects on BU111 case competition

Jan. 12, 2023

In Dec. 2022, the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University welcomed Wealthsimple representatives to campus to judge the BU111 Live Case Competition finals.  The competition is the capstone project of mandatory first-year business course BU111 – Understanding the Business Environment.  Read more about this year's competition from a student perspective: First-year BBA students wrap-up BU111 with dynamic case competition.

Recently, we sat down with alumna Prity Naik (BBA ’21), Growth Marketing Specialist at Wealthsimple who volunteered as a judge for this year’s competition, to learn more about her experience as a a Lazaridis School student and what it means to her to come back as a judge in a competition she once participated in.  

Q: Tell us a little about yourself, and your current role at Wealthsimple. 

Hi Readers! I’m a recent BBA grad with experience in various accounting and consulting roles in the finance sector, and I recently made the transition into the fintech space. My current role at Wealthsimple as Growth Marketing Specialist focuses on product growth, where I’ve had the opportunity to launch new products, scale initiatives, and build new processes. Wanting to enhance my knowledge on this topic, I’ve enrolled as a part-time student at York University studying product management. 

Q: Can you tell us how your experiences at the Lazaridis School, and in the BBA program, prepared you for the working world and your role today? 

My experience balancing class and Lazaridis Students’ Society (LazSoc) clubs helped me learn how to constantly adapt, be a team player and prioritize. I will forever be grateful for all the soft skills I picked up during my time at the Lazaridis School from working on group projects and communicating with different stakeholders. These are key skills I’ve brought to my role at Wealthsimple, where we are often working in ambiguous situations while collaborating cross functionally. 

Q: You were recently a judge at the finals of our first-year Consulting Case Competition with Wealthsimple as the case company. Having been through the BBA program and participating in the BU111 Live Case, how did it feel to be a finalist judge? What was the most memorable part of your time in the Competition? 

Three words I would use to describe the experience - fun, unbelievable and proud! Participating in the live case in my first year was an exciting and pivotal moment; it was the first time I had been exposed to the case consulting world. To come back years later and be the case sponsor is a fulfilling experience. The most memorable part is seeing students have genuine fun; the Wealthsimple case gave them a seat at the table - they are the future! 

Q: What advice would you give the first-year students as they finish their first university term? 

Get involved and try new things! So much learning happens outside of the classroom and it’s never too late to pick a new skill. I recommend talking to upper year students, reach out to people on LinkedIn, and take risks. The BBA program will open so many opportunities for you!  

Q: Thinking back, why did you choose the Lazaridis School? 

I always knew I wanted to attend Laurier for their small campus vibes, emphasis on extracurriculars and how BBA alumni are well rounded individuals in the workforce.  

Q: What activities were you involved in during your time at the Lazaridis School? 

I spent most of my years on JDCC Laurier (Laurier Case Team), Laurier Accounting Association and The Link.  I was also an instructional assistant for my upper year courses.  

Q: What advice would you give to high school students thinking about applying to the Lazaridis School? 

Apply, apply, apply! Coming to the Lazaridis School will be the most rewarding experience both personally and professionally. It’s a school full of like-minded people who are always willing to help you out and say hi in the hallways!