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Transition to professional world
October 13, 2006
At last week’s “Becoming a Professional: Etiquette and Image,” students got a lesson in good manners and how to project the “right” image to employers.
Hosted by the Cooperative Education/Academic Internship Office, the event was PLU’s first ever formal business dinner and wardrobe demonstration. The event was borne out of conversations Maxine Herbert-Hill, director of the internship office, said she’s had with students, who expressed their discomfort at formal events and uncertainty about what constitutes professional attire. Likewise, employers have expressed their unease about the lack of professionalism they find in recent college graduates.
“Since I heard concerns from both sides, I thought now is the right time for this event,” Herbert-Hill explained.
Students were seated at tables with one of eight business professionals. The event began with etiquette lessons from Stephanie Horton, a certified international etiquette consultant with 25 years of experience in communications and hospitality, who taught students more than simple table manners.
“It’s not so much to learn which fork or knife to use, it’s more about learning how bring a presence to the table and carry on a conversation,” Herbert-Hill said.
The event provided a safe setting for students to practice their conversation skills and ask questions.
“In similar situations in the future, they’ll have a level of comfort,” said Joy Barber, the program specialist for the Center for Public Service.
The second half of the event centered on image. Wardrobe consultants from Nordstrom discussed how to put together the right image, from clothing and accessory choices to hair and fragrance.
“When we are talking about image, we’re talking about the whole image,” Herbert-Hill explained.
The consultants demonstrated how to build a complete wardrobe by mixing and matching a few staple pieces. They also offered tips on how to care for clothes to increase their lifespan.
The event was sponsored by All State Insurance, Weyerhaeuser Company, Frank Russell Financial, Gordan Trucking, Mellon Analytical Solution, MultiCare Health System, Toray Composite and the World Trade Center of Tacoma. Each dinner table had one professional from one of the companies.
The event was part of PLU’s celebration of the centennial anniversary of cooperative education, according to Herbert-Hill.
For more information about internships and career workshops, contact the internship office at ext. 7324 or intern@plu.edu, or Career Development at ext. 7459 or career@plu.edu.
Photograph by Justin Diercks.
“Since I heard concerns from both sides, I thought now is the right time for this event,” Herbert-Hill explained.
Students were seated at tables with one of eight business professionals. The event began with etiquette lessons from Stephanie Horton, a certified international etiquette consultant with 25 years of experience in communications and hospitality, who taught students more than simple table manners.
“It’s not so much to learn which fork or knife to use, it’s more about learning how bring a presence to the table and carry on a conversation,” Herbert-Hill said.
The event provided a safe setting for students to practice their conversation skills and ask questions.
“In similar situations in the future, they’ll have a level of comfort,” said Joy Barber, the program specialist for the Center for Public Service.
The second half of the event centered on image. Wardrobe consultants from Nordstrom discussed how to put together the right image, from clothing and accessory choices to hair and fragrance.
“When we are talking about image, we’re talking about the whole image,” Herbert-Hill explained.
The consultants demonstrated how to build a complete wardrobe by mixing and matching a few staple pieces. They also offered tips on how to care for clothes to increase their lifespan.
The event was sponsored by All State Insurance, Weyerhaeuser Company, Frank Russell Financial, Gordan Trucking, Mellon Analytical Solution, MultiCare Health System, Toray Composite and the World Trade Center of Tacoma. Each dinner table had one professional from one of the companies.
The event was part of PLU’s celebration of the centennial anniversary of cooperative education, according to Herbert-Hill.
For more information about internships and career workshops, contact the internship office at ext. 7324 or intern@plu.edu, or Career Development at ext. 7459 or career@plu.edu.
Photograph by Justin Diercks.