Speaker Lynnette Hulgan and a catering staff member performing a demonstration
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, I attended the annual Etiquette Hour (formerly the "Etiquette Dinner") hosted in Michels Ballroom.
The Etiquette Hour is an event that provides students with the opportunity to learn about professional business and dining etiquette from speaker Lynnette Hulgan of Essential Details, LLC. As the former name suggests, this event is usually set during dinner, but this was the first year that St. Norbert adjusted the time and had it earlier in the day.
The Etiquette Hour is an important event that students can take advantage of because there are not only opportunities for conversation, but also networking with St. Norbert’s Career Development sponsors. Students can create contacts with the guests, which could help them in the future if they follow a similar career path.
There were five guests from around the area who we had the pleasure of meeting and discussing business with. I had a great time connecting with them and learning about the ins and outs of their daily work.
The event began with a check-in, where you could help yourself to some fun desserts and mocktails before the presentation began. I sat with my friends and introduced myself to one of the guests who was sitting at the table as well. The atmosphere was pleasant the whole time I was there, and I even got to know students from my year.
When the presentation began, Lynn Hulgan had high energy that didn’t waver throughout the entirety of the event. She taught us that we have 10 seconds to decide if we want to talk to someone, and we have even less time to make a good first impression. Hulgan gave us advice on resumes, steps to connecting with potential employers and how to juggle social and general etiquette when engaging in business.
I was given personal advice from Hulgan while I was speaking to one of the guests. A major point that Hulgan wanted us to practice was our self-pitches when introducing ourselves. Hulgan suggested I sell myself with confidence and own the events that are occurring in my life, which reflects well in conversation and highlights the qualities I have. Connection is the main factor when conversing in business, so selling your pitch is vital to engaging with the person you’re speaking to on a personal level.
The event ended with a recap of the lesson and some additional time to gather contact information if so desired. I had no idea what to expect going into this event, but I left feeling more confident and knowledgeable about business and job-related skills that I didn’t have before.