As students, we are always striving to learn and develop our skills. However, deciding whether to pursue an academic or industry career path can be challenging. One effective way to explore our interests is by participating in student competitions. Over the years, it has been proven that competitions help students become more innovative, develop critical thinking skills, gain more knowledge, and acquire hands-on experience that cannot be obtained solely through university coursework.
Balancing academics and competitions is one of the hardest challenges we face. While we aim to achieve high academic performance, we also want to join competitions that enhance our knowledge and provide practical experience in fields that might not be covered in our university curriculum. To manage this effectively, we must stay organised by creating a comprehensive timeline from the start, distributing tasks equally among team members, and structuring the team, so each person knows their specific role. This ensures a well-organized competition experience.
However, effective organisation doesn’t stop there. A team leader is essential. The leader doesn’t need to have in-depth knowledge of every aspect but should have a clear understanding of all subjects related to the competition. The team leader must regularly check in with subteams, prepare necessary documents for deadlines, and integrate all the work to produce a cohesive final project.
At AM Cairo, we have focused extensively on this approach. So far this year, our members have participated in the Rotorthon Competition, NASA Space Apps, XR Competition by Pace, Drone Competition by the Military Technical College, and we are concluding with the Airbus Sloshing Competition. Let’s hope we rock it!
AM Cairo