Moraga, Calif. - On Tuesday, January 10, the Saint Mary's senior student-athletes took part in the 2nd Annual Business Etiquette Dinner, hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits. With the seniors preparing to graduate in the spring, the Athletic Department, Career Center, and Southern Wine & Spirits teamed up for the Business Etiquette Dinner to help them feel more comfortable in a business dinner setting.
"My goal in supporting the event is to put students in a situation which may cause concern and or apprehension and help them work thru it, so they are more prepared for an actual interview over dinner with a business leader. I am an advocate of planning and preparation, so this is one way to ensure the students are practicing their skills, which will ultimately set them apart from other soon to be recent college graduates," said Suzi Potts, Director of Recruitment (CA) for Southern Wine & Spirits.
The night began with a mock cocktail hour where they learned how to properly shake a person's hand, how to introduce a co-worker, and where to place your nametag. Most importantly, they learned how to hold a napkin, appetizer plate, and drinking glass in your left hand to allow your right hand to be free to shake hands while mingling.
After the cocktail hour lesson, the group moved into the dining area where they sat down at an empty table and had to set their own place setting to learn where everything should be. Throughout the 3-course dinner, they learned various tips and tricks to help them be more confident and set them apart from the others at future business events.
"The dinner was extremely informational and could make the difference in my personal and professional life, whether it be impressing my peers or creating new opportunities for myself in my business career," said Chris Murphy, baseball.
Suzi Potts and Saint Mary's etiquette guru and Career Center counselor, Gina Snyder, were the instructors of the night, teaching the seniors about dinner and wine etiquette and the importance of a hand-written thank-you note.
"I continue to be impressed with the caliber of students at St. Mary's. Southern Wine & Spirits is very excited to be developing several alums within the organization and I look forward to new additions in the future. The Career Center staff combined with the Athletics Student Services staff is among the best I have worked with on a college campus," added Potts.
Also at the dinner were two Saint Mary's alums and current Southern Wine & Spirits employees, Ernesto Rosario '09 and Megan Galloway '08.
