Last May, I, on behalf of Avanade’s Asian Employee Network (AEN), had the pleasure of collaborating for a second year with the Asian Business Student Association (ABSA) to host their second case competition at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. After months of preparation, we provided the case study, presentation best practices, mentorship, case judges and a leadership panel for the top three finalists and the ABSA leadership team. With 35-plus hours across seven Avanade volunteers committed to supporting the case competition along with 30 participating students across eight teams, I’d like to think it was a successful case comp!

I’ve also taken time to reflect on the case competition through a different and more personal lens. For the past two years, I have had the pleasure of serving as AEN’s North America Chair early in my career at Avanade, and with it came the opportunity to begin a collegiate partnership with UW Foster’s Asian Business Student Association. In the few months of preparing for the case competition, it has created a sense of joy and fulfillment to have the privilege to not only organize this week-long event for undergraduate students, but also to foster and grow a relationship with ABSA (and even more rewarding to do it back at my alma mater)!

When I was attending UW, what made it a notable four years were the pockets of space and opportunities I could take part in for support and community. In addition to the lifelong friendships and connections I have gained in these communities, it also provided me the guidance and mentorship from alumni who I believe played a vital role in developing a positive experience and piquing my curiosity about new career possibilities. Without this mentorship, it would have been a little more challenging trying to navigate “business major related” careers post-college, especially as a first-generation immigrant and the first in my family to study a major outside of paths like teaching or nursing.

I am grateful to have received guidance from alumni, especially from those who look like me and took a similar path; it wouldn’t have been possible without those who actively chose to return after they had already graduated and started their own journeys out into the world. They gave part of their time to support students who are in similar positions as they were, like I once was, and it made all the difference. I am incredibly thankful for the early career mentorship and guidance I received, which has inspired me to do the same for current students.

Now as a working professional a few years into my career, I am able to return to my alma mater and support in ways I can. Through Avanade and the AEN community, I have been able to collaborate with student organizations at the University of Washington and other universities to — hopefully — contribute a positive part in their college and early career experience, and the case competition is one way I do so. I have enjoyed the time I’ve spent as a mentor, a guide, a champion or even just an ear, and I am sure to continue finding ways to give back and pay it forward within my Avanade community and beyond.