Underclassmen in the business program have an opportunity to build expertise in professional and personal qualifications that are expected from business leaders through the Gerdin Citizenship Program.

“I am involved in the program because I recognized the influence that the program would have in getting a job, and the amount of personal growth that I could gain from participating with such a great program,” said Jeremy Weiss, sophomore in pre-business and member of the program.

The program was designed to enhance student’s awareness and qualifications on being a responsible leader in the business world, said Labh Hira, dean of the College of Business. The program is in its first year of operation, so it’s unknown how exactly the program will benefit students.

“I hope to become a more worldly person,” Weiss said. “The positive development of oneself through this program is really what is key.”

Students are expected to complete paperwork regarding seven qualities important in “future business leaders,” writes Kay Palan, associate dean of the College of Business, in the introduction to the program.

Business students complete activities in development of professionalism, leadership, civic responsibility, global awareness, diversity, ethics and public discourse over the course of a year.

ISU alumni designed the program. Palan said the program has been introduced to local employers who are aware of the effort students put into personal business growth.

Employers know students involved in the program are “self motivated, committed and willing to go the extra mile,” Palan said.

Students are asked to complete a Gerdin Citizenship Program packet to exemplify their citizenship development. To expand professionalism, the pre-business students are asked to attend three professional events such as etiquette dinners, resume-writing workshops, interviewing skill workshops or mock interviews.

To complete the program, students are required to join at least one of the governing councils of the student body or the Gerdin Business College, such as the Government of the Student Body or the Inter-Residence Hall Association, to get them involved in leadership positions on campus.

Community service hours are used to teach students civic responsibility. Students in the program are required to participate in at least two service opportunities over the course of the program. which lasts a year.

“Global business knowledge and experience are essential in today’s economy, especially with regards to personal academic and career development,” explained the Citizenship Program packet.

Students are required to create a poster presentation to showcase extraordinary global business practices developed through foreign language classes, study abroad experiences, international business club or international speakers.

Business students involved in the Citizenship Program expand their diversity by attending three diversity-related activities throughout the year in an environment outside their comfort zone. Palan suggests students attend a meeting of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Ally Alliance or the ISU Pagan Community to learn about the diverse beliefs and perspectives.

Expectations of ethical development involve attending at least two seminars, lectures or conferences related to ethics during the yearlong program.

Twice a semester, students are expected to give a one-minute impromptu speech with topics ranging from personal experiences to business-related topics such as recent trends.

“The impromptu speeches are not that hard, it is just a little nerve wracking at first because you are speaking in front of a group of people who you have never seen before,” said Katie Vande Berg, freshman in pre-business and Citizenship Program member.

Speeches are delivered in front of an audience of faculty and prospective employers who typically hire ISU students, such as Principal Financial Group or Kingland Systems, Palan said.