Cognitare Recruitment Channel AY24/25

Applications for our AY24/25 recruitment cycle are now closed! Thank you all for your support!

Reminder: Applications close in 24 hours (25th August, 2359H), do sign-up here if you're interested!

Thank you all for attending our info session yesterday! A reminder that application closes this Sunday 2359H, so do sign up as soon as possible! If you missed us at VIVACE and our Info Session, we have compiled some FAQs that we hope will be of help to you! For any other questions that are not listed here, do not hesitate to contact us on Telegram (@veron_wxl or @clairesloh)

Hey everyone! For those that signed up for our information session, its happening today at 6:30 PM at the SMU Admin Building, Level 6 (U-Lounge)! Registration will begin at 6:20 PM. For those coming from classes ending at 6:45 PM, don't worry about being a bit late! We look forward to seeing you there!

Reminder: Sign up for our info-session happening tomorrow (22th August, 6.30pm) at SMU U-Lounge (SMU Admin Building, Level 6) here by 2359 today! If you have classes during that time, feel free to come by after for a quick chat or to listen to some key segments.

How has Cognitare helped you in pursuing a career in finance? Cognitare has been instrumental in shaping my career exploration journey by building upon my 3Cs: Connections, Capabilities, and Communication Connections - Something that personally motivated me was the guidance and time invested by my seniors. Their unique experiences across industries like investment banking, consulting, and private equity helped me understand the nuances of each field and align them with my career goals. Capabilities - Although Cognitare's trainings are less applicable to traditional finance roles, the skills I picked up - the ability to process information quickly, the understanding of key fundamentals of a business or industry, and the innate curiosity to investigate - have set me up well to obtain internships across finance roles. Communication - The Club's emphasis on communication, through rigorous training and presenting to global C-suites, has honed my ability to think on my feet and articulate thoughts clearly. Despite having my internships in investment banking, I was able to transition into trading and public markets by (i) speaking to alumni in the space, (ii) quickly picking up the fundamentals of the industry, and (iii) presenting a convincing narrative for my shift. In short, Cognitare’s holistic approach empowered me to explore various finance sectors, leading to a confident start in commodity trading. If you’re unsure about your path but find business problem-solving exciting, Cognitare is worth exploring. What does the Club look out for when selecting applicants? When selecting applicants, drive, humility, and a keen eagerness to learn stand out. Prior experience in consulting or finance isn’t necessary; it’s the determination to excel that makes members thrive. What is a piece of advice you have for applicants this year? The training at Cognitare will definitely be rigorous and challenging, but I can assure you that it will be an experience like no other. If you're seeking an environment that builds tenacity, grit, and holistic intellectual growth, Cognitare is the place for you. Not only will you develop essential career skills, you’ll get to represent our School whilst travelling the world on sponsorship.

Hi Everyone, hope you had fun at Vivace! Hopefully you've visited our Vivace booth. If you're still interested in learning more about Cognitare, be sure to sign up for our info session which will be held on Thursday, August 22nd. Looking forward to seeing you there. The link to sign up is here: https://forms.gle/33QxVm5hySupHXEk9 Feel free to reach out to us on Telegram if you have any queries: @veron_wxl @clairesloh

Hi all! Cognitare will be having our booth at the SOB Walkway for Vivace on the 15th and 16th of August. Be sure to stop by and find out more about the club! Feel free to reach out to us on Telegram if you have any queries: @clairesloh @veron_wxl

How has Cognitare helped you in your career journey? 1. Holistic Development The club has equipped me with skills to excel in industries that value problem solving, teamwork and presentation skills. I have gained exposure to different business models, honed my ability to draw relevant insights from data and developed my presentation skills. These skills, both technical and non-technical, collectively helped differentiate me during interviews and on the job. Despite being a Computing & Law student, Cognitare has imparted the aforementioned skills which enabled me to secure internships in consulting, tech, and finance, with Accenture, Dell Technologies and Seatown Holdings respectively. 2. Mentorship Programme Cognitare seniors have been instrumental in providing visibility on career options since I was in Year 1, which really enabled me to plan my academics and internships to achieve my ultimate career goal. They are always happy to chat and share their first-hand perspectives and advice. This extends to Cognitare alumni who are already in the workforce, as they are happy to make time for us and give us advice. What was your most memorable International Case Competition (“ICC”) experience? Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to travel to Canada. I really enjoyed meeting students from more than 10 universities across the globe as we exchanged knowledge about the different cultures across countries. It was really eye-opening and I’m glad to have experienced this even before my semester exchange. Students from the host school, Ivey Business School, were especially friendly and made us feel at home despite the competition pressure. Besides competing, we were able to enjoy a short trip in Vancouver, where we visited the snow-capped Whistler Mountain via cable car. We even had the chance to ski and hike!

Why did you choose to join Cognitare over other CCAs? When I was choosing between different CCAs, I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted to do in the future, but was already leaning towards industries that required strong business fundamentals to succeed like consulting and finance. I wanted to join a club that could help train those fundamentals, while providing strong mentorship and exposure towards these industries. I chose Cognitare as I felt that it would best equip me with the knowledge and guidance to prepare myself for these industries, all while forming strong bonds during international case competitions. How has the experience as a junior been thus far? My time in Cognitare has been extremely engaging! The rigour of weekly casing has exposed me to countless interesting business problems, growing my knowledge with each progressing week. This has allowed me to satisfy my curiousity while still training my critical thinking skills and expanding my business fundamentals. Apart from casing, I've also been fortunate enough to experience events hosted by the club. This includes professional events like alumni networking sessions, as well as recreational events like chalets! On top of the support that both batchmates and seniors provide me, this sense of camaraderie is one of the most important aspects of the club to me, and is something that motivates me week to week. How has Cognitare helped you in your studies or internship? Cognitare has helped me not only to hone my critical thinking skills and business fundamentals, but has also helped me to raise points with clarity and brevity. This increases the standard of work that I submit to professors, be it presentations, reports, or examinations. In terms of internships, Cognitare's mentorship system has been extremely helpful in preparing for and landing a wide array of interviews. My mentor has offered me a wealth of information and advice when it comes to internship applications, and has even helped to prepare me for interviews. That level of preparation definitely helped me to be more confident during interviews, which is a huge factor in landing offers!

Have questions for our members? Here’s our junior member, Jared sharing about his experience in Cognitare.

Learn more about Cognitare: Here are some FAQs, answered! Q: What does training look like in Cognitare and how is it normally conducted? A: Our members work in teams of 4 to break down a "case", which is essentially a real business problem pitched by a company. They collaborate to create strategies backed by financial analysis and then present their recommendations to senior members of the club, who provide the team with feedback. Q: How are members selected for case competitions? When will I be able to go for my first competition? A: Members are selected based on availability, readiness, and team fit. On average, members get to represent the club and school at least 2-3 times in international case competitions. Even Year 1s have the opportunity to compete, with many going on competitions in their second semester and achieving stellar results! Q: What do I gain as a member of Cognitare? A: The main things you will gain would be highly transferable skills such as analytical, critical thinking and presentation skills. These skills will help you excel both academically and professionally. We also have a wide alumni network for you to tap on as the mentoring culture is very strong within the club. They readily help members with their internship applications, preparation, and referrals, where possible. One of the most exciting benefits is the opportunity to travel internationally, network with students from global universities, and compete against them. This exclusive experience is unique to Cognitare as we are the only club that liaises with global universities to participate in international case competitions. Q: Do I require any prior business case experience? A: Not at all! Many of our members had no prior experience with business cases and even come from SMU faculties beyond the business school. What we prioritise in a candidate as we go through the interview is your aptitude and attitude. Examples of such evaluation points are business sense, drive, sincerity, and the ability to be quick on your feet. 👀 Look out for our upcoming "Hear it from the Club" series where members in our club will share more about their experience thus far during training, competitions, and how Cognitare has helped them in their SMU journey. 💡 If you would like to find out more, we will be holding our information session on 22 Aug, at 6.30pm. Do sign up here to learn more about our club and network with our members! 💡 Check out our recruitment deck here as well, as we break down exactly what we do, together with some recruitment insights. ❓ If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact Veronica (@veron_wxl) or Claire (@clairesloh ).

Hi everyone, to access the recruitment deck and forms, please ensure that you are logged into your SMU Google account!

COGNITARE SIGN-UPS ARE OPEN, APPLY NOW! 🗓 Application deadline: 25th August, 2359H Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis! We're SMU's premier business case club, representing the school in competitions globally. At Cognitare, you will solve the world's biggest issues, compete against the brightest minds, and travel the world. Not only that, our rigorous training programme will ensure that you grow to the best version of yourself! 📢 Registration for our Info Session on 22 Aug is also open now! 📢 🔗 To sign up and view our recruitment deck, simply visit our linktree 🌍 For more information on the club, visit our website ✨ To stay updated with recruitment and life in Cognitare, join our telegram channel Feel free to reach out to us on Telegram if you have any queries: @veron_wxl @clairesloh

📢 EXCITING NEWS: Applications open tomorrow!📢 Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to join Cognitare and embark on a journey filled with challenges, growth, and unforgettable experiences. Make sure to mark your calendars and get ready to apply! 🚀 🌐 For more details, you can visit our Linktree by clicking here Feel free to reach out to us on Telegram if you have any queries: @veron_wxl @clairesloh

Welcome to Cognitare's AY24/25 recruitment channel! 🎉 If you're looking to... 🌍 Solve the biggest issues facing firms today 💡 Compete against the brightest minds ✈️ Travel the world and gain unparalleled experiences ...then Cognitare is your place to shine! ✨ Stay tuned to this channel for all the latest updates on recruitment info and sign-up links. Pre-screening sign-ups kick off next week, on 29th July! 🗓️ For queries about our recruitment process, approach us on Telegram: @clairesloh @veron_wxl

Channel photo updated