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Students Take Part in Career Services Etiquette Dinner

by Joe Barker on 11/18/2022

11/18/2022

Tuesday night, the St. Louis Room in the Busch Student Center became a place for Saint Louis University students to experience dinner in a professional atmosphere.

Career Services hosted its fall etiquette dinner for students. The event offered tips and advice for students for handling business dinners. 

Caitlin Conrad speaks with Wayman Butler of Eli Lilly at the Career Service Etiquette Dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022.

Caitlin Conrad speaks with Wayman Butler of Eli Lilly at the Career Service Etiquette Dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. Photo by Joe Barker.

“Our goal is to prepare students for interaction in a professional dining setting such as a meal or reception,” said Floyd K. Welsh, Career Services Director. “We hope they came away with more confidence navigating those types of events and made connections with employers as well as each other.”

Around 125 students signed up to take part in the event. The students, dressed in their professional best, participated in a four-course dinner. In between the courses, 17 employer representatives from various industries in the St. Louis area offered advice and mingled with students.

During the appetizer portion of the evening, students were encouraged to move around the room and talk to each other and the employer representatives. After learning the right way to initiate a conversation, students were able to make introductions and collect business cards. 

“I came here tonight for the networking opportunity — to get contacts and get to know the businesses around the area better,” said Caitlin Conrad, a freshman majoring in marketing and data analytics. “I met a lot of great people — it’s just a great opportunity to get an introduction into what to do during the first meeting with someone.”

Following the mingling portion, there were more lessons and more intimate conversations. The students returned to their seats at the tables for the rest of the evening. Each table had one of the 17 employer representatives.

Robel E. Esayas, a junior majoring in public health with a minor in marketing, said he came to the event hoping to improve his knowledge of etiquette but also to meet new people — the dinner was just a bonus. 

“The food really isn’t the first thing here, it’s the conversation,” he said. 

Esayas said he enjoyed the event and found it beneficial. 

“I’ve connected with different people and gained insight into what they do and how they work in life,” he said. 

Employer Representatives 

Welsh wanted to thank the 17 employer representatives who took time out of their days to visit SLU and teach the students. The 17 volunteers were: