Students from East Texas A&M University recently enhanced their professional readiness and industry exposure by participating in the ISACA North Texas “From Student to Professional 2026” event. This experience underscored the university's commitment to preparing students for success beyond the classroom.

Held in Richardson, Texas, the event brought together students and industry professionals for a full day of immersive, career-focused development centered on personal branding, networking and professional growth. With support from the Marketing and Business Analytics Student Organization (MKTBA), 13 East Texas A&M students joined peers from across the North Texas region to take part in hands-on sessions designed to make the transition from school to the workplace feel more approachable and realistic.

Throughout the event, students participated in one-on-one résumé and LinkedIn reviews, mock interviews and structured networking sessions with experienced professionals. A professional headshot station further supported students in refining their personal brand, equipping them with tools to present themselves confidently in competitive hiring environments. In addition, sessions on personal branding and first impressions highlighted practical insight into how students can confidently present themselves in professional settings.

Professionals from organizations such as Amazon Web Services, Marriott International, JPMorgan Chase, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation worked closely with students throughout the event, offering feedback, career guidance and real-world perspectives. These interactions gave students a clearer understanding of what employers are looking for, while also highlighting the importance of communication, adaptability, and professional presence.

For many students, the experience was both impactful and transformative.

“The event was engaging and professionally conducted. The résumé review session was especially helpful, offering diverse perspectives that helped me understand how others evaluate résumés. I gained valuable insights and was able to improve my résumé based on the feedback,” said Tejaswini Kannan, a master's student in Computer Science.

For Jennifer Olatunde-Thorpe, a graduate student in Business Analytics, the experience provided clarity and confidence as she prepares to enter the workforce.
“Attending From Student to Professional 2026, organized by ISACA North Texas, was an eye-opening experience for me,” Olatunde-Thorpe said. “I especially enjoyed the session by Jay Demmier, which provided practical insights into transitioning from school to the workplace and the importance of developing your personal brand. The mock interview session stood out because it gave me real-time feedback and helped me understand what employers are truly looking for. I also appreciated the LinkedIn headshots, which emphasized the importance of presenting myself professionally. Overall, the event felt very intentional and well-structured, and I left feeling more prepared, confident, and motivated about my career path.”

The MKTBA leadership team was also in attendance, demonstrating a shared commitment to advancing student success, not just academically but professionally as well.

“We are committed to making professional development opportunities more accessible to all students,” said Manushi Parajuli, vice president of MKTBA and a master's student in Business Analytics. “By increasing carpooling support and pursuing conference scholarships, we aim to remove barriers and provide students with exposure to broader professional networks beyond the local level.”

MKTBA leadership is confident in the direction the organization is taking to expand access to opportunities like this, particularly at the undergraduate level, through enhanced outreach and new leadership initiatives.

“Opportunities like this are essential for student growth because they provide real-world exposure and allow students to build the confidence and skills needed to succeed beyond the classroom,” Marzuka Sultana, a master's student in Business Analytics and president of the Marketing and Business Analytics Student Organization (MKTBA), emphasized.

Experiences such as this event reflect East Texas A&M University's continued emphasis on experiential learning and industry connection. By creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage directly with professionals, the university—alongside organizations like MKTBA—continues to empower them to transition from the classroom to their careers with confidence, clarity, and purpose.