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Wayne State students make elevator pitches at RenCen

Posted at 7:20 PM, Mar 03, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-03 19:20:03-05

Imagine you have about 90-seconds to sell yourself for a scholarship. That's what some Wayne State University business students have to do under some unusual circumstances.

Fifteen students pitched themselves to a judge in an elevator at the Renaissance Center.

Freshman Zyrah Ashraf said, "I think when you are selling yourself, what you have to do is really evaluate yourself as a person. So, what do you have that you can offer to a company."

This is the second time the Mike Ilitch School of Business is hosting the elevator pitch contest.

The top prize is a $1,000 dollar scholarship.

Even Dean Bob Forsythe says this contest is a challenge.

"I would've been scared to death," he said.

Freshman Jacob Moore explained, "When you go up, your ears pop. You see the river. You see miles and miles. One, its distracting. Two, it's terrifying."

The judges are local company representatives and many say confidence is key.

Nicholas Werthman is with Fiat Chrysler and is a Wayne State University alum.

"It's nice to hear their GPA. It's nice to hear what they do," he explained.  "But I want to see them come in and act like an actual human being, actually have a conversation and really be proud of who they are."

Winning the contest is the goal, but the real prize is learning to sell yourself and get a chance to shine in front of potential recruiters.

The dean added, "One this morning was already offered an internship. So lots of good things can come from this."