When Wesley Clark (Accounting and Finance, ‘24) sat down to take his Excel certification exam as part of the Introduction to Information Systems course at the Wilson College of Business, he had no idea the path it would send him down. He had prior experience with Excel in previous internships, so he was proficient, but when he received an email a few months later indictating he was chosen to compete at Certiport’s 2023 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship in Orlando, Florida, he was shocked.
In 1994, Marc Mitchell ('95) chose to study in Denmark for a semester, not anticipating how life-changing it would be. He learned about this opportunity from a fraternity friend who had gone the previous year and decided to pursue it after some inquiries with the business school. This past summer he returned with his family to reconnect with his Danish classmate.
On-site acupuncture, yoga classes? Lunches made by chefs?! While these are some of the headline-grabbing employee benefits and perks offered out there — typically by top tech firms in Silicon Valley — a comprehensive and forward-looking benefits package does make a significant impact in recruiting and retaining top talent.
Meleah Johnson (Marketing, ‘24) comes from a family deeply connected to the National Guard—her father served in Fort Dodge for nine years, and her brother is currently with the Sioux City unit. Considering her family's ties, it was a natural choice for Meleah to join the National Guard after high school. However, her path took a unique turn as she became one of Iowa's few female boom operators, responsible for the critical task of refueling planes mid-air.
The world has a lot to offer, and one of the best ways to experience it is by traveling internationally.
Many students are not aware of the benefits that studying abroad can bring to their academic and professional careers. Students who study abroad report many benefits including developing a better understanding of how business is conducted in different cultures, leadership skills, becoming more open-minded, and improving their problem-solving skills.
The Wilson College of Business at the University of Northern Iowa has launched a new hybrid accounting program in Des Moines, and its inaugural enrollment is met with excitement. Students in the program feel it addresses an unmet need in their education and are enthusiastic about the opportunity it offers.
Think of the fond places you frequent in your hometown. Maybe it’s the corner pizza shop, the downtown grocery store, or the bank next door. In many towns, these businesses are essential, employing community members and providing the only goods and services available for miles.
