On Saturday, November 6, the University Securities Investment Team (USIT) held its annual

Texas Charity Pitch Competition, an event where undergraduate students pitch a charity in the same

way they pitch a stock. Winners of the competition receive donations toward the charity that they

pitched. The event was judged by a panel of seasoned industry professionals from across the nation.

These judges represented investment banks, hedge funds, private equity firms, and other specialties.

Bhavya Kethiredipalli, CBHP Junior and USIT President, described the extensive planning and

commitment it took to plan the event. She explained that while the goal for TCP is to allow students to

network with industry professionals and learn about the pitching process, TCP is also intended to be a

fun event where UT students can meet one another and enjoy some great food. “I think a lot of

competitors really enjoyed the catering we provided,” she stated. Tiffany Yan, CBHP sophomore,

participated in the competition her freshman year as well. She said that “TCP felt so much more

interactive and fun this time around. It was the perfect opportunity to practice presenting in person.”

Bhavya also went into the detail behind the origins of TCP. In a world where business,

particularly high finance, is viewed in terms of profitability, events like TCP are important because

students can see a side of business that provides a meaningful social return. Participants in TCP are

able to see how they can use their business curriculum to directly impact issues that they are passionate

about.

For many freshman TCP competitors, the event was a chance to learn significantly from

upperclassmen. Chinmyi Bodapati, a CBHP freshman, commented: “TCP taught me how to work in

a team where my team members were more knowledgeable... It was a valuable experience because it

showed me how much I could learn from my peers.” CBHP Freshman Braxton Budd agreed,

elaborating that through TCP, he became “more collaborative and developed a mindset where he used

quantitative reasoning to formulate decisive qualitative conclusions.” Most upperclassmen and alumni

urge freshman and sophomores to get involved in McCombs competitions whenever possible; the

learning that occurs in McCombs competitions cannot be equally replicated in the classroom.

Written by Riya Manohar