WHO WE ARE
ILLINOIS BUSINESS COUNCIL
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
"WHERE SUCCESS COMES STANDARD"
Founded in 1973, Business Council is a student organization dedicated to serving the Gies College of Business. Today, we are a large, vibrant community of undergraduate students from all majors and diverse backgrounds, united by a shared passion for business and professional growth.
Business Council empowers its members to achieve their goals while building a lifetime network of some of the most driven and accomplished students on the University of Illinois campus. Our members grow through hands-on experiences in events and initiatives organized by our Leadership Team, all guided by our three core pillars: Professional, Service, and Social.
Through meaningful connections, skill-building opportunities, and community engagement, Business Council offers a platform for students to develop, lead, and thrive, both during college and beyond.
PROFESSIONAL
Business Council is a professional organization dedicated to developing its members through hands-on experience, skill building, and meaningful connections. Members participate in extensive professional programming, including resume reviews, interview preparation, career panels, and personal branding workshops.
Through strong relationships with corporate partners, alumni, and and the Gies College of Business, BC provides valuable networking opportunities and real-world insight to prepare members for life after college.
SERVICE
Business Council is committed to serving the Champaign-Urbana community and beyond through impactful volunteer and philanthropic initiatives. Members engage in local service, remote volunteering, and large-scale fundraising events throughout the year.
Each semester, BC supports a selected charity through creative, member-led events and initiatives such as Impact Day, allowing members to give back while building meaningful connections.
SOCIAL
Business Council is a close-knit and diverse community where members build friendships that extend beyond the classroom. Through frequent bonding events, social outings, and shared experiences, members form connections that last well beyond their time at Illinois.
BC also prioritizes diversity, inclusion, and member wellness through educational programming and social initiatives. From cultural celebrations to signature social events, Business Council fosters an inclusive environment where members feel supported, engaged, and inspired.
LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT
BRADY SEE
FALL 2024
Coming into college, I was searching for a place that would challenge me to become the best version of myself while surrounding me with a community where I could grow alongside others. I decided to attend Business Council’s Information Night after hearing about its values of professional growth and strong community. After fortunately being accepted into the organization, I can confidently say that the BC experience was everything I had imagined and more. Business Council has changed my college experience and the course of my future in countless ways, and I hope to provide that same impact to future members of the council.
During my New Member Semester, I was pushed well outside of my comfort zone professionally, personally, and socially. Professionally, the resources available to help members succeed both inside and outside of the classroom are extensive. Navigating future career decisions can be daunting, but through Business Council’s three levels of mentorship including alumni, senior, and peer mentors, along with a network of members who are always just a text away, I was able to better focus my goals and pursue my ambitions. Serving
as Technology Chair, Internal Engagement Chair, and now President, I have had many opportunities to give back to the organization and grow significantly as a leader.
Our three pillars, Professional, Service, and Social, provide members with a well rounded college experience filled with meaningful and memorable moments. Some of my favorite experiences include volunteering at SWANN Special Care Center, competing in our annual Biz Bowl football tournament, and kayaking for the first time at Kickapoo during our fall retreat. Nearly every day of the week, Business Council offers events that advance professional goals, encourage service, and foster connections with some of the most driven individuals on campus.
Joining Business Council means becoming part of a community that is genuinely committed to your success and challenges you to become better. Speaking as the New Member Speaker at Information Night in Spring 2025, I felt the strong support of Business Council members in the crowd, reinforcing how special this organization truly is. Each semester brings new members with fresh energy and perspectives, and I leave every Business Council event having learned something new. Throughout every stage of my college experience, Business Council has supported me, and I would not be where I am today without it. To truly understand why Business Council means so much to our members, I encourage you to attend our recruitment events and get to know us.Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of the Executive Board with questions about our recruitment process or Business Council in general. Good luck, and we hope to see you soon.
Best,
Brady See
HEAR FROM OUR
MEMBERS
