For many business students, networking with professionals is important as they work toward their goals and degrees. Students at Kirkwood Community College had the opportunity to practice their professional skills and connect with local companies at the annual Business Etiquette Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at The Hotel.
“The Etiquette luncheon is an event that coordinates with the Orientation to Business Professionalism course sections,” explained Sharon Blanchard, instructor and coordinator of Business Management: Administrative Management. The class addresses topics from dressing for an interview to networking and maintaining connections. Another topic is dining etiquette as business professionals sometimes hold meetings at restaurants.
“This year we offered any Orientation to Business Professionalism online student to attend by purchasing a ticket from the Kirkwood bookstore. The event has typically been held in the fall semesters when we have multiple in person sections of the course. Traditionally, students attend the event to practice their networking skills and learn about dining etiquette,” Blanchard said.
The luncheon had nine tables sponsored by a variety of businesses from financial institutions, to transfer Universities. These sponsors were able to host a table and network with students throughout the event. Students are able to learn valuable information about dining etiquette, networking with their fellow students and professionals, and the opportunity to get their professional photo taken.
“The Business & IT department sponsors the event and our dean, Tammy Alt, kicked off the event by welcoming the audience and Dr. Lori Sundberg also delivered a welcome message. The emcees were Dr. Lori Merlak and Todd Saville,” Blanchard added.
Business student Edwin Gonzalez said his favorite part of the luncheon was how it offered a lot of opportunities. “The sponsors were open and answered lots of questions,” he said.
Others said they appreciated the opportunity to practice business skills. Destinee Macias, business administration management, said, “It helped us with business setting etiquette as well as our social and working skills.”
Anna Bongek, business administration transfer, agreed. She said, “Knowing what you say and understand what everyone is saying in a dining setting.”
It wasn’t only students who learned about dining etiquette. Dupaco’s sponsor, John Heavens, explained what he experienced during the event. “Everyone [sponsors] got paired up with students. I learned some etiquette myself. I had fun. It was well run, and I can’t wait for next year.”
University of Iowa’s Haley Hollern said she also enjoyed the luncheon. “I thought it was great! I talked to seven first-year students who want to learn networking. We get to meet students [and] eat a meal,” she said.
The Business Etiquette Luncheon is designed to help both students and sponsors learn about proper dining etiquette and create a networking connection between students and someone working in a company that works with and supports Kirkwood. The luncheon help students have a better idea what to expect and be more prepared for an opportunity.
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