Adam Idso

English, B.A., NDSU, 2019
Econ, Minor, NDSU 2019
MBA, University of Mary, 2021

I’m a Senior Associate in Business Valuation at Redpath and Company. I help business owners understand what their companies are worth and why. I work with privately held businesses across a wide range of industries, analyzing financial performance, market trends, and key value drivers to deliver clear, actionable valuation insights.

How did your time as an English major prepare you for your current role or your career?

Majoring in English and ending up in finance is a bit like bringing a typewriter to a gunfight–unexpected, but surprisingly effective.

My English degree has been one of the more valuable differentiators in my career. Recruiters and hiring managers often remember it because it’s uncommon, and business valuation is ultimately about telling a company’s story clearly and persuasively. Skills like textual analysis help me navigate financial statements, contracts, and legal documents, while research, writing, and audience awareness are essential when translating complex financial information into insights clients can actually use and understand.

What advice would you give to someone considering an English major?

Your degree does not box you in. The opportunities available to you are often shaped less by what you studied and more by the story you tell about your strengths, experiences, and the value you bring.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I am still in the Fargo area. If students would like to sit down for coffee or lunch to discuss career paths, I am open to them reaching out to me.