The Newman University Career Services office is hosting a Business Mingle from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.
Current Newman students are highly encouraged to come and practice their networking skills as professionals from five different companies will be there to talk with students.
Director of Career Services Melody Head said the event has three main goals for students who attend:
- Practice networking at a social event,
- Perfect personal statement pitches by talking with professionals and
- Learn about how important soft skills are in the workforce
“The objective of this event is to provide an opportunity for our students to visit with workforce professionals and faculty regarding their plans for the future and to inquire about best practices for developing networking opportunities,” explained Head. “Students don’t need to bring a resume; they are just going to be encouraged to practice communicating with professionals.”
Head added the event is not about students matching their majors with any of the companies’ line of work, but rather having an opportunity to enter a networking atmosphere and talking with professionals about their own personal goals and practicing introducing themselves to others.
During last year’s event, approximately 40 students took advantage of the networking opportunity, and Head said she’s hoping that many and more will attend this year’s event.
Brian Epperson, graduate program director the Newman School of Business, will present at the mingle. Epperson will talk to the students about the value of soft skills and emotional intelligence in business.
Epperson said he hopes students take advantage of the event because they will walk away having learned something important.
“I hope students who attend the mingle gain a sense of the value of something that is often diminished in organizations of all types,” explained Epperson. “Students are in a time of preparation. The windows for learning never close but the opportunities for doing so decrease as we move out into the working world.”
