Undergraduate students serving as peer career coaches at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business provide personalized support as their peers prepare for internships, jobs, and long-term career success. Working in the Business Career Center, the 16 coaches assist their peers with résumés, cover letters, interviewing and navigating early career decisions.
The coaches work closely with two required business courses that are part of the college's Professional Enhancement Program: Career Development and Planning (BSAD 222) and Internship and Job Search Strategies (BSAD 333). This academic year, they will conduct more than 1,300 one-on-one résumé coaching appointments for BSAD 222 and provide assignment feedback to more than 1,000 students in BSAD 333.
“Peer career coaches make career support more accessible for every student in our college,” said Bethany Heser, assistant director of internship & job search strategies. “Because they’ve taken the same classes and completed the same assignments, students feel comfortable asking questions and getting the guidance they need to move forward.”
Students selected as peer career coaches receive extensive onboarding, weekly training and hands-on experience coaching their peers. Many individuals continue in their roles for multiple years and take on leadership projects that help improve the college’s career development offerings.
“Our peer career coaches grow significantly during their time in the role, and the amount of training they do is one reason this program has won awards from the Career Leadership Collective and National Association of Colleges and Employers,” she said. “They build relationships with their own groups of students and communicate professionally in many different settings. We also give them meaningful professional development opportunities, from employer visits to workshops, that strengthen the same skills they teach to their peers.”
Kadina Koonce, assistant director of career development and planning, said the peer-to-peer approach helps students feel comfortable seeking guidance.
“One of the greatest strengths of this program is the peer connection,” Koonce said. “Our coaches have been where the students are. That relatability helps students ask questions, build confidence and make progress on their career goals.”
Applications for peer career coaches for the 2025–26 academic year open Dec. 8 on Handshake. Students selected will participate in training before starting in August.
The students selected as peer career coaches are listed below by hometown with their current class standing based on credit hours earned in school and academic major(s).
Nebraska
Fremont: McKenna Olson, junior, finance
Hastings: Emmy Huyser, junior, accounting; Jimmy Truong, junior, supply chain management
Holdrege: Lorna Weides, junior, marketing; Ava Wells, senior, marketing
Omaha: Cecilia Beckerbauer, senior, management and computer science; Ella DeSmet, junior, accounting and finance; Emma Edelman, senior, management and marketing; Maris Grabill, senior, marketing; Charlie Poitras, junior, marketing; Caroline Smith, senior, management; Joselyn Tavizon Alvidrez, senior, accounting
Elsewhere
Arlington Heights, Illinois: Gianna Zitella, senior, actuarial science and finance
Aurora, Illinois: Matthew Crerand, junior, accounting and finance
Overland Park, Kansas: Breck Steffensmeier, junior, marketing
Eden Prairie, Minnesota: Katelyn Jensen, senior, international business and Spanish
