The Business Etiquette luncheon at Kirkwood Community College is aimed at teaching real world skills, enhancing business formality and networking with professionals to bring students closer to completing their goals and degrees.
The luncheon is a formal dining experience where students wear their best attire and connect to various company sponsors, this year having up to 10 that plan to attend.
“The vision has changed slightly, and that’s what I’m excited about, I really want to push hard and heavy to promote to students,” said Sharon Blanchard, instructor and coordinator of Business Management.
“It’s no longer just centered around this one course; we’ve opened it up to all students.” With the event taking place on Oct. 14 at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, students outside of business professions will be allowed to attend through purchasing a ticket at the Kirkwood Bookstore.
Walking into the event, there will be tables set up, each hosted by a sponsor or two.
Blanchard said the University of Iowa often hosts a table, alongside banks, small businesses and larger businesses, which can help provide internship opportunities.
Students learn to sharpen their networking skills with sponsors throughout the whole event.
“In regard to dining etiquette, we teach them everything, so there is not a preference or an expectation that you come in knowing everything,” said Blanchard.
Students also learn other aspects of a formal dinner, like the placement of silverware and napkins and how to pass the salt and pepper.
The food offered can also provide learning experiences through presentation of challenging dishes.
“What we hear from students from the time they get through the capstone program, or when they finish their program here at Kirkwood in the business area.
“It’s one of their favorite events because it got them out of the classroom, and they got to maybe network with someone with a career interest,” Blanchard said.
The event is designed to help students bring out positive qualities about themselves while learning new skills that can last a lifetime and potentially make some important connections for their future, Blanchard added.
Categories: Campus News, News
