TCS IT Wiz was an event conducted by Tata Consultancy Services which is a subsidiary of Tata group of companies. The quiz was about technology and innovations and people from all around the nation come to participate in the quiz. TCS IT Wiz is one of the most recognised and most competitive quizzes in India. I participated in the quiz and went to Mumbai, I tried to prepare as much as I could. When we reached the venue, I was amazed to see the number of students who participated in the quiz. I knew it was going to be hard for me to qualify when I saw hundreds of students at the venue.

LO1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

 I always thought that I was good at tech and always thought that I know everything about the latest technological advancements until I went to the TCS IT WIZ. The moment the preliminary round started and the questions began to pour it, I realised that I was not as good as I thought. I was able to answer the questions on modern technologies but when it came to technology in 19 and 20th century I was left puzzled. 

LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

I really wanted to win that quiz, I started preparing for it almost a month before the quiz day. I watched each and every video of the quiz ever recorded and I also looked up online and tried to learn as much as I could. During the process, I realised that I improved a lot on my research skills as I tried to learn every minor details and information about big tech-based companies from their CEOs to their investments, everything. 

LO3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

When we were told about this quiz, I was very excited that we had this great opportunity and I decided that very moment to participate in the quiz. The event was a team-based event, so if I wanted to participate I needed a partner. My friend also a tech enthusiast, so I convinced him to participate in the quiz and look on the brighter side even if the chances of us seemed very less. For an entire month, I had to motivate regularly and make sure that he prepares for the quiz as he is a bit lazy. And also planning the schedule was a bit of a challenge as we also had several submissions in the way. 

LO4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Even if the chances of me winning the quiz seemed very low, I sincerely prepared at least 1 hour a day for almost a month. I tried to scan each and every resource that I came across. At the day of the quiz even if we were not able to make it to finals, I did not give up and tried very hard to win the audience prizes. 

LO5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

As it was a team event we tried to take advantage of it and we divided the workload. According to our skills and interest, we delegated work to each other and the skill used during the process were research and delegation skills. For example- I tried to remember the names of people associated with the xyz company and friend tried to remember about its history and timeline. 

LO6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

As the problem of global warming has escalated exponentially recently, during the lunch break we made and journey in the train I made sure that nobody threw the trash on the tracks, roads or the corridor of the auditorium. I asked the students along with me to not throw trash at any place it does not belong. I also made sure that all of the trash was disposed at the right place.

LO7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

There were hundreds of students around us in the quiz and there were roughly 20 people monitoring the participants during the quiz. I had access to my phone and I was also sitting with my other school mates. If we wanted we could have easily searched online for the answers or ask the school mates sitting beside us but I chose to maintain the ethical code of conduct and chose not to cheat or be involved in any unethical practices. 

 Even though I did not qualify for the quiz, it was a great opportunity for me to witness the spirit and talent of the participants present there. The event inspired me to not set back from failures and try harder next.