Students benefit from etiquette dinner

A total of 195 students attended the Etiquette Training dinner at the Pueblo Convention Center on Nov. 7.  Career Center director Michelle Gjerde said all of the students she spoke to said they were overwhelmed with how great the experience was.

“One student said she felt comfortable with fancy situations after going through the dinner,” Gjerde said.

Senior psychology major Dominique Walker said she enjoyed the experience so much that she attended this event for the second time.

“It’s very educational and important to have a clue on business etiquette,” Walker said. “Also, students need to dress properly for these types of these events.”

Although some community leaders cancelled their reservations at the last minute, Gjerde said she and the other sponsors were able to fill the seats with more community leaders.

Guests such as the current university president are usually present, but a board of governors meeting was scheduled for the same night, and President Joseph Garcia was unable to attend.

One of the community leaders present at the dinner was Senior Executive Vice President of SCA/HUB International Agency Ralph Williams. He said it was his second time attending the dinner.

“I like to attend this dinner because it gives me a chance to see what the new graduating class is like,” Williams said.

Williams also said he had some advice for students entering the professional world.

“Students need to pay attention to their grades because they say something about you to potential employers,” Williams said. “However, you shouldn’t let your degree define you, aim to be well rounded.”

Senior economics finance major Andrew Ivan said he attended this event for a second time because of the opportunities it offers.

“You never know who you’re going to meet,” Ivan said. “I look forward to meeting new community leaders and having the opportunity to network.”

Senior advertising and public relations major Heather ODorisio said all students should experience this at least once.

Some students said they felt nervous while attending the dinner.

“I felt nervous because I didn’t know what to expect,” Kristen Ooley, junior English major said. “I am getting a good feel on how to look and act in this type of situation.”

Another community leader at the dinner was CSU-Pueblo professor and dean Hector R. Carrasco. He is the dean of the College of Education Engineering and Professional Studies and holds a doctorate in industrial engineering.

Carrasco said he has seen some students at past events that could have benefited from the etiquette training.

“Students definitely benefit from the dinner because it prepares you for interview settings and the professional world,” Carrasco said.

In addition, Carrasco said the dinner is always improving and it delivers a good experience for the students.

“Students should become comfortable with this type of setting because you will be evaluated on how you act,” Carrasco said. “This gives employers an idea on how you will fit in with the company.”

Carrasco also said etiquette shows the value of a person in a professional aspect.

Overall, the students who attended experienced a five course meal with step-by-step instruction from the master of ceremonies Sue Hanks. In addition, students were given instruction from how to shake hands with professional contacts to proper topics of discussion for a dinner setting.

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