No Jobs For Slobs

No jobs for slobs.  This could have been the 21st century description of the focus of the 3rd Semi-Annual Etiquette Dinner that was held on November 15, 2011 in the Copper Lounge. Dining Services Director, Alan Couture, led the student attendees through the challenging waters of proper etiquette when dining at a formal event or with a prospective employer.

The topics discussed included the place setting – which utensil to use when.  Did you know by forming a “b” with your right hand thumb and index finger you can determine which is YOUR bread plate and that forming a “d” in the same manner with your left hand you can be sure which is YOUR drink.  

When tackling the salad, Mr. Courture suggested that a cherry tomato never be stabbed with the fork.  Conquering the cheesy trap of French Onion soup and how to corral long noodles were also covered.  Students experimented with rolling one strand of pasta on the tines of the fork into a manageable bite. 

Other “killer” situations, including what price of dinner to order and whether or not to order alcohol, were questions posed from the attentive audience.  Many of the students participating were from other countries and added a great deal of insight when discussing dining in other cultures.  Chancellor and Mrs. Blackketter, veteran formal dinner attendees, also offered many practical suggestions.

One of the topics hammered home was that of the cell phone.  The cell phone should be left in the car during a formal dinner or interview dining situation – no exceptions!  The host of the event or the prospective employer will notice if you pay attention to your phone rather than the guests at the table.

This collaborative event between Dining Services and Career Services is an important link to thoroughly prepare students for situations awaiting them as they interview for both internships and jobs following graduation.  Alan Couture received excellent evaluations from everyone who attended and all of the participants would recommend this workshop to a friend.  One of the students commented, “There was a lot of information presented that was new to me or that I would never have thought about.”  While another student shared, “Wished I would have had this earlier – requirement before internship.”

If you missed this event, don’t worry.  The Career Services website has information on etiquette and many other videos pertinent for interviews.  By choosing one of the CareerSpots, a wealth of information in 3-5 minute bites is at your disposal 24/7/365.  Contact  Career Services office, in Engineering Hall 103, for more information.