On February 7, the Duke Career Center hosted its first-ever Case Competition giving students—regardless of experience—an opportunity to develop financial analysis and problem-solving skills in a supportive environment. Held in partnership with AspinRock, a Raleigh-based financial services firm, the competition focused on Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Over the course of the event, teams worked through financial data, evaluated risks, and built investment proposals, all while receiving guidance from industry professionals.
Jared Smith, Associate Director at the Duke Career Center, said the competition was designed to make finance and consulting more accessible. “The fast-paced recruitment timeline makes it difficult for students to explore finance before internship season,” Smith said. “This competition created a space where they could build skills, gain exposure, and receive support as they worked through a real-world case.”
Students from a range of academic backgrounds participated, many with no prior finance experience. Sean Fang (Trinity ’28) said his team had to start from scratch. “We had less technical experience than other teams, so we spent extra time learning financial modeling,” Fang said.
For Jonathan Feng (Pratt ’28), the challenge was less about numbers and more about learning to communicate ideas effectively. “I improved my research, argumentation, and presentation abilities while networking with peers and mentors in finance and consulting,” Feng said.
Carolyn Chu (Trinity ’28) emphasized the value of stepping into an unfamiliar field. “The best way to strengthen a skill is through practice,” Chu said. “This competition challenged us to think critically and present our ideas clearly.”
And for many participants, like Gabe Cooper, (Trinity ’27), this was their first case competition. “Knowing where to start was the most difficult part of this experience. However, thinking like a consultant, breaking the problem down and designating group responsibilities quickly made this task much more approachable and achievable,” Cooper said.
Cooper’s teammate Sam Werts (Pratt ’27) said this experience was an opportunity to hone his business analysis skills with peers. “I feel like I learned a lot from the process of putting our research into a succinct presentation,” Werts said.
AspinRock CEO Jordan Robinson worked closely with students throughout the competition, mentoring teams as they refined their financial models and presentations. He said he hoped the event would help students develop skills they could carry forward in their careers. “The leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills students developed here will serve them well in any field,” Robinson said.
Smith said the Career Center hopes to expand the competition in the future with more industry professionals and mentorship opportunities.
For Harmony Hill (Trinity ’27), the experience was both challenging and rewarding. “I was confident when I signed up, but when it was time to present, I was a nervous wreck,” she said. “I don’t regret it at all. It gave me the experience I wanted, and I’d tell any student to do it. It’s worth it.”