A Day in the Life: Business Week offers students growth opportunities

Every February, Business Week provides Illinois State University students professional development and networking opportunities that prepare them for successful careers. 

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Illinois State: Summer 2023

“Business Week is how I landed my first internship,” accounting major Janice Nyarko ’23 said before a professional development dinner that kicked off the week’s events. “Being part of the Business Week team helped me build my resume, and then actually sharing my resume with an alum I met during Business Week last year helped me get my internship with Ernst & Young.”

A student-led committee oversees Business Week with guidance from College of Business faculty and staff. The student leadership group meets weekly, and every member takes ownership of an event or other responsibility. Nyarko coordinated this year’s equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) event that highlighted the work of Special Olympics Illinois and Best Buddies International. 

“I wanted to do something outside the box and something where I felt I could leave a mark here at ISU,” said Nyarko. “The EDI position felt like something that was calling my name.”

Now in its 44th year, Business Week has expanded to include programming year-round. Staples of the dedicated week include the professional development dinner, EDI event, transition seminars, trivia night, keynote address, and the College of Business Hall of Fame luncheon. Last fall, Business Week sponsored a viewing of The Homestretch, an award-winning documentary on homelessness among Chicago Public Schools students, which was followed by an open discussion. In March, a corporate social responsibility event focused on sustainability.  

Events are open to all students and benefit individuals pursuing careers beyond the business world. Student organizers gain valuable leadership experience.  

“It’s taught me a lot about my own leadership style and how I can help people,” said marketing major Tori Poska ’23, this year’s Business Week president. “It’s incredible seeing everyone grow and gain experience through the opportunities we offer.”

A mentorship program established 12 years ago helps students maximize their experience. The program pairs Business Week veterans with students new to the event. Accomplished College of Business alumni present training sessions. 

Rising senior Edwin Brkic, who served as vice president of marketing for Business Week this year, has been on both sides of the mentor-mentee relationship. 

“I had an amazing mentor who helped me so much with developing myself professionally and helping me find internships on and off campus,” said Brkic, a marketing major. “I’ve never felt lost here in the College of Business.”

It’s a lot of work for the student leadership team, but it’s not all business. 

“We have fun working on our events, and we always find time to meet up outside our meetings,” Brkic explained. “You can find members of the team getting together in the State Farm Hall of Business atrium, or in the dining halls, or just sharing laughs while planning the events.”

Although there is much to be learned from the diverse programming offered during Business Week, most students say it’s the networking opportunities that are most valuable. 

“Business Week really opens the door to a lot of possibilities,” Poska said. “Students who come out to Business Week are going to have an awesome experience and get to meet a lot of different people.”