A student team from the University of Bath won The 8 Task Challenge on Saturday 9 April in Rutland Water. With 480 participating students forming 120 university teams, The 8 Task Challenge is a unique test of stamina, motivation, commitment and intelligence and involves the active participation of the cream of graduate recruiting organisations.
Senior Graduate Manager Maria Floud, from headline sponsor Grant Thornton said: “We really enjoyed being lead sponsor for the 8 Task Challenge. It was a great chance to engage with students in a unique environment. It'll look great on their CVs and shows real drive which can help their future prospects.”
The number of graduate recruiters sponsoring The 8 Task Challenge increased this year with Deutsche Bank, BAE Systems and Clifford Chance joining The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, E.ON, CIMA, The Financial Services Authority and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
The eight tasks which give the event its name consist of a series of mental and physical tests which included canoeing for half a mile, cycling for 12 miles and running for another three. Before the day, students were scored in a situational judgement test created by occupational psychologists Mendas.
On the day, the sponsors were able to meet 480 truly well-rounded students to find out more about them and talk informally about their futures at work.
Team Over the Hill from University of Bath was crowned 8 Task Challenge Champions 2011 and took home £1,200 for themselves and a further £1,200 for their Snowsports Club. Second and third were teams from the University of Oxford and the University of Manchester.
The winning Bath team said: ‘The event gave us an opportunity for some friendly competition with the other teams while also allowing us to get to know the sponsors and their companies. We will definitely be back next year to defend the title!’
