Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) welcomed 270 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) high school students to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to participate in the Path to Success Conference. The conference allowed students to hear success stories from motivational speakers and attend workshops aimed at helping them learn specific skills needed for professional development.

Cody McCain, a sophomore accounting and agribusiness major with a minor in finance from DeWitt, Nebraska, helped coordinate the conference with fellow PBL members. He sees the conference as an opportunity to give back to students who are following a similar path he took in high school as a member of FBLA.

“The conference helps high school students learn new knowledge and skills they can apply to their own lives, whether teaching them how to take on a leadership position or start something new in their school,” said McCain. “We hope the conference creates the impact to motivate students to better themselves and go out and make a difference in the world.”

McCain said the event, held in the Nebraska Union ballroom, gives FBLA students a taste of college, particularly when they see PBL students facilitating the conference activities.

“It helps make a connection when they see PBL members working here. It also makes a difference with Dr. Donna Dudney (associate dean for undergraduate programs) welcoming the students to Nebraska and telling them about the great things happening at the College of Business Administration, including the new building opening next year,” he said.

Students attended three workshops which consisted of topics from financial preparedness, creating résumés, meaningful careers, leadership, parliamentary procedure and improvisation. Speakers included Kevin Kush, a teacher and coach at Boys Town, Nebraska, who talked about seizing moments of opportunity, and Neil Halford, author of the book The Sound of Sight, who detailed a childhood tragedy that left him blind, and how he overcame adversity to excel in life.

PBL is the college equivalent of FBLA. It is the oldest and largest national organization for students preparing for careers in business leadership. Published: November 28, 2016