The ASA DataFest at Franklin University is an intensive, weekend-long data hackathon that challenges students to transform a large, complex, and previously unseen dataset into actionable insights. Working in collaborative teams, participants go beyond classroom theory to apply technical skills in tools like Excel, Power BI, R, and Python to solve real-world problems provided by major organizations. The event culminates in a presentation to a panel of industry experts, offering students a high-stakes environment to sharpen their analytical storytelling, network with professionals, and develop a tangible project for their portfolios.