Career Services offers graduating students a chance to practice professional etiquette

A group of seniors recently got a taste of the business world as they learned how to eat, converse and conduct themselves properly in a professional dinner situation.

“The first Senior Etiquette Dinner was hosted in April of 2001,” Don Owens, director of Career Services, said. “I was visiting with Dr. Bawcom and mentioned the desire to someday host a business manners and dinner etiquette program for our seniors. He thought it was a good idea and offered to underwrite the program to invest in the success of our graduates.”

Owens believes that students don’t take into account the importance of their conduct in certain business situations, and it is helpful for them to have an experience where they can practice for their future interviews and careers.
“Many times, we only get one opportunity for that first impression in job searches,” he said.

Owens said only seven of the students who participated this year had attended etiquette training in the past, and he believes this preparation will help them immensely in the future.

“UMHB students and graduates have outstanding careers ahead, and we want to contribute in a small way to their success with this program and other career-related services,” Owens said.

Each year during the dinner, President Jerry Bawcom and Mrs. Bawcom join the seniors for the dinner, and a guest presenter instructs in correct business dinner practices.

This year, Jamie Gilliland Gaertner, recruiting supervisor for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Austin, educated the dinner guests in etiquette. 

“Jamie is also a 2001 graduate of UMHB with a major in communication,” Owens said. “(She) brings real world experience and has a great understanding of professionalism and proper protocol.”

Students from all degree areas are encouraged to attend the dinner because there is always a possibility they will find themselves in situations they are not prepared for.

Lindsey Harkrider, a senior elementary education major, attended the dinner this year to prepare her for future interviews and occupation-related positions.

“I learned a lot at the etiquette dinner,” she said. “I feel more confident about being in a busi-
ness or formal dinner situation.”

Harkrider recognizes that a first impression can mean everything to a future employer and feels more prepared for her job search following graduation.

“I think knowing the proper etiquette will definitely help my chances of doing well in a formal dinner situation,” she said. “Also, knowing what conversations are appropriate is essential in any formal interview or dinner.”

Delana Brewer, a senior who will graduate in May as an English major, also attended the program. She is glad to have the knowledge she got from the dinner under her belt.

“I really thought it would be nice to learn a few ways to be proper before I get out in the real world,” she said. 

Brewer knew how to conduct herself properly but wasn’t sure about all the rules of formal dining before she went to the event.

“Silverware was always tricky to me,” she said. “Now I think I have it figured out.”

Since Brewer knows she’ll be entering the competitive job search after graduation, she is thankful to have the help of Career Services as well as the guidance of the university.

“I think it says a lot about our Career Services department,” she said. “They genuinely care about us doing well in society. They don’t just leave us. I think it’s another thing that sets UMHB off as a caring university. They’re personal about their training.”