Career Services hosts etiquette dinner

Morehead State University Career Services hosted its seventh annual, etiquette networking dinner for students at the Center for Health Education and Research building (CHER).

Alltech Inc., Appalachian School of Law, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Farm Credit Mid-America and Verizon Cellular Sales sponsored the dinner.

A total of 48 students took advantage of this opportunity. The evening began with employers mingling with students as tips were shared by MSU’s Career Services director, Julia Hawkins, to prepare students to be successful networkers. The recruiters volunteering their time to network alongside of the sponsors included Foresters Financial Services, KVC Behavioral Healthcare and the Lexington Police Department.

During the etiquette networking dinner, Terri Thompson, Etiquette Institute graduate, served as the guest speaker guiding participants in the proper way to navigate courses of food, handle napkins and tableware, as well as how to excuse oneself from the table.

“Etiquette is about helping students develop professional poise, confident communication skills, and personal polish,” said Thompson. “Practicing the three bedrock principles of etiquette…kindness, consideration and honesty is always the right thing to do and will help any student's success.”

"I really enjoyed the tips that the speaker shared and I thought it was a great opportunity to network," said Tiffany Parker, a psychology major.

“Everything turned out wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Thompson and her teaching of dining etiquette. I would highly recommend students participate in the etiquette dinners in the future,” said Macy Jo Henson, a strategic communications major and event planning intern of MSU Career Services.

According to national surveys of employers (NACE Job Outlook), employers prize skills including: leadership, teamwork and communication skills. Employers who recruit at MSU also want those skills, but are more specific saying that students should be able to introduce themselves, learn to wear professional business attire, and practice basic etiquette.

“We listen to what employers say and try to build career events to help our students prepare for the world of work," said Hawkins. "I am pleased with the increased attendance at the dinner.”

For more information contact the Career Services office at 606-783-2233 or e-mail at careerservices@moreheadstate.edu.