The Great IKEA Bookcase Assembly Challenge at Seneca Polytechnic

By Ghazal Fatima

Seneca Polytechnic recently hosted The Great IKEA Bookcase Assembly Challenge, an exciting event that combined hands-on learning, teamwork, and real-world applications from students’ studies in corporate communications and public relations.

Professor Donna Gall expressed her excitement about the event, saying, “It was rewarding to see students engage and apply classroom lessons to a real-world challenge. These experiences make learning truly impactful.” Holly Cybulski, Program Coordinator for the Honors Bachelor of Communications and Media degree, emphasized the value of experiential learning, stating,

“Our goal was to provide students with practical experience. The enthusiasm and teamwork exceeded our expectations.”

The event was organized by Gall and Cybulski to create a unique learning experience for students. IKEA played a key role by donating 10 unassembled Billy bookcases, which students had to assemble using IKEA’s famous instruction manuals. Teams were also encouraged to personalize their bookcases through the popular trend of “IKEA hacking.”

Lisa Huie, IKEA representative, shared her thoughts on the collaboration between IKEA and Seneca: “This collaboration is so exciting for us at IKEA because we get to work closely with students who will shape the future of communication. Our instructions are fundamental to every single one of our products. As a global organization, it’s crucial that we have easy-to-understand visual directions. This partnership allows students to explore communication in a real-world setting and see how vital clear, effective instructions are in everything we do.”

This challenge was not just about assembling furniture; it was an exercise in teamwork, internal communication, and problem-solving. Students from both first and second years collaborated, exchanging ideas and building relationships within their academic community. The event allowed students to practice essential workplace skills like communication, delegation, and working under time constraints.

Doni Ghebretensae, a second-year student, shared her thoughts on the event: “It is amazing to work with students from different years and see how teamwork works in real-world projects. I feel more prepared for my future career.” Justina Core, another student, added, “The main reason of contributing in this event is to get myself more involved in school besides just coming to class and getting my assignments done.”

At the end of the event, the assembled bookcases were donated to a local furniture bank, adding a charitable aspect to the challenge. Many students, already involved in charitable work, found this meaningful.

This event highlighted the power of experiential learning, industry partnerships, and community engagement. It showed how Seneca Polytechnic prepares students for success in their careers by giving them the skills and experiences needed in the professional world. With continued collaboration between Seneca and IKEA, students can look forward to more opportunities that connect classroom learning to real-world applications.