Sixteen University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have been selected as peer career coaches in the College of Business. Working in the Business Career Center, the coaches assist peers with résumés, cover letters, interview skills and the navigation of early career decisions.
The coaches work closely with students in two required business courses in 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 and 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.”
The students selected as peer career coaches are listed below by hometown, with their current class standing based on credit hours earned 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 in the U.S.
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
Peer career coaches receive extensive onboarding, weekly training and hands-on experience. Many continue in the role 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,” Heser 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,” she 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. Those selected will participate in training before starting in August.
