What I’ve Learned from Bringing Guest Speakers into Classrooms

Over the years, I’ve invited dozens of professionals into my classes. Each visit was different, but together they shaped how I think about teaching. Guest speakers are not extras; they are essential voices that help connect education with the world students will step into.

What I’ve Learned from Bringing Guest Speakers into Classrooms

Here are three lessons I’ve learned from experience and through SpeakerPost:

1. Preparation Determines the Value

A guest lecture is most useful when both sides prepare. Students should know who is coming and why their perspective matters. Speakers should know what the class has been studying and how to connect their stories to the material. The best sessions I’ve seen were those where the educator and speaker aligned in advance.

2. Diversity Matters as Much as Expertise

Students learn as much from who the speaker is as from what they say. Inviting a range of voices—by industry, background, and career stage—helps students see multiple futures for themselves. In many cases, the impact of representation was greater than the impact of technical content.

3. Engagement Lasts Longer Than Slides

The speakers who made the greatest impression did more than present information. They asked questions, told honest stories, and encouraged dialogue. Students remembered those interactions far longer than they remembered polished slide decks.

These lessons have shaped how I view guest speaking. It isn’t a side activity. It’s a core part of preparing students for life after graduation. SpeakerPost exists to make this easier for both educators and professionals.

Visit speakerpost.com to learn more about how we are building this community.