Research inviting industry practitioners to speak in classrooms is frequently anecdotal. The purpose of this study was to explore student views on the value of guest speakers in the classroom. Students surveyed typically saw industry guests as useful, especially when a speaker’s personal experiences and career choices were relevant to a student’s own desired future. In addition, beyond hearing from a knowledgeable professional currently working in the industry, students hoped for a very personalized experience, with individualized career advice and time to ask questions. Students also appreciated speakers who were well-organized, persuasive, and included visuals
