Have you ever wondered what to do when your place setting has four forks, two spoons, three glasses and two knives? Or are you more nervous about proper behavior in situation with high-level managers and company executives?
Thanks to Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), BC students were able to get their questions answered.
A recap for those who were unable to join us:
-Bread is on the left, drinks are on the right of your place setting. How to remember this?
Link your index finger and thumb into loops as if making an "okay" signal but keep the rest of your fingers in line with one another. Does the left look like the letter "b?" Does the right look like the letter "d?" Well, "b," as you may have guessed, stands for bread and "d" stands for drink. Now you'll never drink from the wrong glass. We can't, however, say the same for your neighboring diner.
-Work from the outside in. A very formal place setting may be overwhelming with nearly 10 utensils. Simply work your way from the outer utensils to the inner ones. If the first dish requires a spoon, use the spoon that is furthest out but use common sense. A teaspoon is not a soup spoon. If you are ever in doubt, take your cue from the host.
-Choosing a seat can determine the rest of the night. Carefully choose a seat according to your goals. Sitting with your peers at the far end of the table may cost you the opportunity to network with higher level executives and managers. However, sandwiching yourself between the executives makes for awkward conversation where you may be an obstacle to conversation between the executives.
-Talk, but let others talk, too. This speaks for itself, right?
And a tip from your AMA Newsletter editors:
Your left hand is your personal hand, your right hand is "public use."
If you are sneezing, coughing, scratching, eating with your hands; use your left hand, leaving your right hand free for others to shake comfortably.
[see previous post for PHOTOS]
On a cool Thursday night, 37 students attended the annual Networking Dinner held by the AHANA Management Academy (AMA). The networking dinner gave students the chance to casually chat with company recruiters they will soon be courting.
Students had the opportunity to question, impress and learn from 16 professionals of different positions, histories and backgrounds. Several professionals were BC alums with interesting stories to tell of their own BC experience and early job hunting.
Nicole Guelcher from TJ Maxx recalls her own indecision and first experience working for TJ Maxx as a buyer. "I didn’t know what I wanted to do or who I wanted to work for, but I decided to give TJ Maxx a try and I ended up really liking the company."
Over the length of the three-course meal, professionals indulged students in tales of bad and good experiences, handing them valuable information for the near future.
"I spoke with Tina Nguyen from PwC who gave me some good advice: Work with a positive attitude. If you are humble and willing to learn then you're a better employee and a better colleague," said freshman Mark Wan.
With all the great tips, new connections and delicious food, students left with greater optimism and motivation. Freshmen got a taste of the near future and sophomores and juniors expanded their network in preparation for their internship search and interviews.
Organizers Zahratu Bah and Amanda Chan at the end of the night were congratulated on a successful networking dinner with high hopes from both students and professionals for the next.
The AMA would like to thank the representatives and recruiters from the following companies: Abercrombie & Fitch, Boston Private Bank, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, General Electric, John Hancock, KPMG, Liberty Mutual, Northwestern Mutual, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and TJ Maxx.
Some pictures from the networking dinner:
Left to Right: Talal Rojas, AMA Co-President, greets Jason O'Connell from Boston Private Bank.
The AHANA Management Academy networking dinner is approaching and the newsletter team would like to polish your tool set!
Q: What is networking?
A: "Networking is the art of building alliances." -www.rileyguide.com
Networking begins way before you think or know it will be helpful. In kindergarten, our parents "networked" at PTA meetings, soccer games and possibly bake sales and field trips.
Q: How does one network?
A: Make the effort to be friendly and open in any social situation and your network will start building itself. However, avoid making cold calls to random folks in the phone book or a company directory.
At the networking dinner, professionals are going out of their way to talk to you making everything a little bit easier. Be ready with some general questions and work from that point to have a memorable conversation.
Some tips for the big day:
1. Look memorable- Wear something distinctive but not outlandish (if outlandish isn't your thing). This can help others remember you later.
2. Participate in group conversations but avoid talking without saying something. A quick but smart question or comment is often more memorable and valuable than a two minute speech on nothing in particular.
3. Do not zone out. Take a genuine interest in what others' say and respond. Half-hearted conversation is not impressive.
Check back again for updates.
Also, the AMA now has a twitter to keep you posted.
Follow AMAatBC and get the latest tweets on upcoming events and last minute changes.
Northwestern Mutual is coming to BC.
Welcome to the spring semester. Before you forget in the scramble to drop/add classes, buy/exchange textbooks and calculate food in dollars per day to avoid mid-semester bankruptcy, please check your inboxes for the networking dinner invitation.
The networking dinner is a special AMA event that brings the professionals to BC students. Chat with someone who works in your field of interest. The conversation may land you a job later. If you are currently not on the emailing list. Please send a request to ahanamanagementacademy@gmail.com.
Also, do not forget to attend the internship fair on Tuesday, January 26 at 4 pm in the Heights Room (that's second floor of Corcoran Commons (Lower Dining Hall)). Check out eaglelink for a list of the participants.
Now that we've taken care of business. . .
Did everyone keep up with the news? No excuses. The weather over the break was, for the most part, better suited to indoor activity.
Get your own copy of the Wall Street Journal here ...(there's a sale!)
WSJ subscriptions
Time to update that resume and start searching for summer internships. Click on our resources tab for more info.
Also worthy of visiting: simplyhired.com & junglecareer.com
