Career Services to host annual professional etiquette dinner

On Tuesday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Colonial Ballroom of Memorial Union, Career Services will host, for the fourth consecutive year, the Professional Etiquette Dinner.

The event is open to the ESU and Emporia communities. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased from the Office of Career Services.

The goal of the event is to “train participants how to conduct themselves in a professional setting,” June Coleman-Hull, Director Office of Career Services, said.

Part of the professional process is being able to present oneself in a sophisticated and proper manner while eating. It is just one part of many factors that can be taken into consideration when employers are evaluating prospective employees.

At the dinner, participants will be instructed how to consume food properly and how to conduct themselves in a professional setting.

A speaker will be featured at the dinner who will serve as the host. Catherine Corey, etiquette expert, will guide participants item by item during a four-course meal.

Corey will also advise participants on the proper way to exit during different parts of the meal and the correct way to behave in professional dining situations.

Corey has nearly 20 years of experience facilitating fine dining etiquette training because she is the National Director of the League of Junior Cotillions.

The event is a great way for students to prepare themselves for entering the workforce.

“It’s a good practice field for everyone,” Coleman-Hull said. “We give them a pre-test when they enroll and a post-test after they have completed the dinner so they can evaluate themselves.”

An interesting and valuable aspect of the event is that certain companies can sponsor tables and request that certain majors who are attending the event be placed at that particular table.

This gives students a chance to mingle with prospective employers in a comfortable setting.

The Professional Etiquette Dinner is open to anyone and everyone.

“A wide variety of people attend: students, faculty, staff, some alumni and President Lane as well,” Coleman-Hull said. “Some faculty even brings their younger, elementary-aged children.”

Overall, Coleman-Hull feels that the dinner is a beneficial event for the ESU community.

“It gives [students] professional skills in a competitive process,” she said. “Employers are always thinking of candidates as professionals. It’s really important to have those skills.”

Last Updated July 2, 2007>