ISU College of Business Celebrates Successful Professional Development Month

September marked another Professional Development Month, featuring a full slate of events designed to get students ready for the working world and help them find jobs and internships. First on the calendar was the Resume Roundup, which allows students to meet one-on-one with an expert and get feedback on their resume.

“I really like that this is something that the College of Business does offer, said Lauren Ulshafer, a junior majoring in marketing. “We've had classes in high school that do resume things, but as you progress, you have more things to put on your resume, and it's nice to just keep having people that help you update that, keep it to what a job might want to see, and what's most likely to get you hired.”

Next was the third annual College of Business Fashion Show, where students, faculty, and even ISU President Robert Wagner strutted their stuff in their best business attire. The light-hearted event helps to highlight what’s acceptable to wear in the workplace.

Meet the Firms and the Accounting Symposium put the dollars and cents of business in the spotlight. Meet the Firms is a career fair specifically designed for accounting and finance students. Funds raised from the event go to support ISU’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi. The following morning’s Accounting Symposium brought together more than 30 experts to share insights with students through a panel, featured speakers, and small-group discussions. 

“People have a preconceived notion of what an accounting career looks like,” said ISU alum Brandon Peterson, vice president of accounting and reinsurance with Farm Bureau Insurance Company of Idaho and one of the panelists. “When you can get people from the industry to come out, whether they're CPA firm people or just in the private sector doing any industry work, (students) can get that idea of what it really looks like to be in their profession and get an insight that's not in a book or from a professor.”

“Networking is a critical part of a business career, and some of the most valuable educational opportunities come when our students connect with professionals in their field,” said Erik Boyle, associate professor and Nelson Family Endowed Professor of Accounting. “We are blessed to have incredible alumni and professional partners who support our Accounting Symposium year after year by taking time out of their busy schedules to meet and mentor our students. Students who attend not only learn more about the variety of careers available to them in the field of accounting, they also make lifelong connections that will benefit them even after graduation.”

The Etiquette Luncheon focused on the mealtime interview. With support from Citizens Community Bank, the multi-course meal and networking event showed students the dos and don’ts of breaking bread in a formal setting. Some well-received and probably understated words of wisdom came from Tyler Burch, professor of management.

“Even if you really like ranch a lot, it’s probably not best to put it on all of your food,” said Burch, drawing a laugh from attendees.

The month wrapped up with the STEM and Business Career Fair, with more than 50 businesses and organizations in attendance.

“It is very important for students to participate in professional development activities, especially as students in the College of Business,” said Katherine Hammond, a sophomore double-majoring in accounting and finance, and vice president of community involvement for Beta Alpha Psi. “There are so many opportunities to learn and grow from professionals in the field while building meaningful connections that, when maintained, can help open doors to future opportunities and success.”

“The 2026 Professional Development Month was a huge success, said John Ney, clinical associate professor of marketing and director of the Walter Brown Center for Sales Excellence and Professional Development. “We had fantastic participation from students, faculty, and staff across all our events. Thank you to everyone who helped organize, support, and participate in these events. Special thanks to Tanya Betty and Lydia Bishop for their hard work and dedication in making this month a success.”

For more information on ISU’s College of Business, visit isu.edu/cob.