Wildcats Team Up and Tackle Complex Challenges

Dec. 5, 2019
By: Katie Beauford, Junior, Student Coordinator- Design Thinking Challenge
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Would your Wildcat appreciate a chance to work with other smart, enthusiastic, students to solve relevant problems, all while learning collaboration, project management, communication, and problem-solving skills?

If the answer is yes, the Design Thinking Challenge is a perfect opportunity for your student!

The Design Thinking Challenge is an annual competition that allows teams of Wildcats to tackle problems faced by organizations on-campus and in the community. Students build in-demand skills while meeting new people and making an impact.

To help you imagine what’s possible in a short design challenge, some of our past projects include:

  • Working with the Student Union to build a rooftop garden;
  • Collaborating with University of Arizona Libraries on branding their new maker space;
  • Partnering with a non-profit organization Youth on Their Own to design housing solutions for homeless high school students.

This year, students will be teaming up to help one of three Tucson organizations like Visit Tucson on challenges like attracting visitors of all kinds to our city. The competition kicks off on Thursday, February 6, 2020.  Winners of the Design Thinking Challenge will have the chance to work with their nonprofit organization to make their idea a reality and add this impact to their portfolio. Not to mention, there will be prizes!

Besides making an impact, The Design Thinking Challenge is a great way for students to build in-demand, transferable skills. Students participating learn about an organization or industry, interview people affected by different issues, collaborate, ideate, and present their ideas in multiple professional settings. Participants practice teamwork, time and project management, public speaking, and communication -- all skills that we know future employers value.

We’re passionate about all the Design Thinking Challenge offers to students, especially the opportunity to make and strengthen friendships on campus. Students have the option of signing up with a team of their choosing or being assigned a team. Some students who have met through the challenge maintain their friendships throughout their time as Wildcats.

If your student, or a student you know, is looking for a professional development opportunity, wants to help their community, or is just looking to get involved on campus, we want them to sign up for the Design Thinking Challenge. More information and a link to register is available on our website: https://career.arizona.edu/skills-experience/design-thinking

We can’t wait to meet your student at the Design Thinking Challenge this spring!