On March 28, 2025, students presented their pitches for a new form of wearable technology to solve a community issue during the Workplace Challenge at Accenture.  

A Workplace Challenge is a career preparation activity where small groups of students are engaged in solving a real-world problem or a challenge issued by an employer. Workplace Challenges are designed to provide exposure to potential careers in an industry of interest, develop problem solving and research skills, help students make the connection between school and the workplace, and inform career planning.  

During this year’s Winter Workplace Challenge, students partnered with Accenture.  Accenture is a global professional services company that specializes in technology services and management within consulting. They specifically focus on growing businesses, and other organizations.

”The Workplace Challenge was an amazing experience” said Brandon Easton (Class of 2026). “ I loved that we actually got to visit the Accenture building and meet people who work there. It was a great environment and opportunity and it helped me reflect more on the environment I will want to be in when I graduate college and start my career.”

During the Workplace Challenge students worked in teams to identify important societal challenges. Each group developed a wearable technology that presented a solution to one of the issues. They then created and delivered presentations on their solutions to Accenture. Teams followed a “Shark Tank” approach to their presentations, offering key content to the “investors” (judges) such as market analysts, product design, financial forecasting, development plan, etc.  

Accenture presented the following topics over seven weeks: harmful sun exposure, vision impairment, hearing impairment, misinformation in politics, mental health, carbon monoxide poisoning. 

But the program also included much more. 

Students first got an overview of Accenture and identified challenges. Then, they started the design and thinking process. They thought of wearable technologies that would help to solve issues. Next, a group working session developed project ideas. After that came the financial statements and projections section. Finally, teams created a relevant storyline about their project and product and had a presentation and Q&A with Soben Americas CEO. 

One particular focus was on misinformation in politics. With this topic, students had to cover the misinformation that distorts public opinion, highlighting the need for media literacy and critical thinking.

“My favorite part about the Workplace Challenge was connecting with people who are CEOs and work in the business world” said Steven Henriquez (Class of 2026).  “As an aspiring business major myself, seeing the environment they work in and all their responsibilities, it showed me how serious their job is and confirmed that I would also want to continue to pursue a business major in college.

But would you want to participate again?

 “I would definitely do the Workplace Challenge again!” said Henriquez.  “It was fun, innovative, and challenging!”