Business majors had the privilege of getting educated and motivated from Charlotte’s finest business employers. The Belk College Student Center for Professional Development and Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity hosted a two-day Professional Business Conference in the Cone Center Oct. 21 and 22.
The Belk College of Business Department created an atmosphere where students were able to talk with employers, gain career path advice, enhance etiquette and improve skills within the business industry.
Overall, the conference proposes business majors to take initiative in shaping a successful career for their future.
On the first day, motivational speaker Hoan Do kicked off the conference with “Stop Networking. Stay Connected!”
Do emphasized the importance of interpersonal communication in the workforce. He said that there is a strong need for connection instead of network when dealing with professionalism. The keynote speaker encouraged students to get even more involved on campus, host an event of their own and take all opportunities available to develop character.
Jenna Huffstetler, a freshman business major, attended the conference both days. Huffstetler is currently interested in working with real estate and owning her own bakery.
“The conference helped me become more determined and excited about the business world,” said Huffstetler.
In addition, BB&T, Bank of America and Belk, Inc. gave presentations on insights within the business industry. These sessions provided 45 minutes of business advice, guidance and allowed students to inquire about their future.
Following the first day of the conference was a presentation that began at 3:30 p.m., which discussed cleaning up your presence on an online public space. The presentation was titled “Facebook Friendly,” and was a must-hear for all students.
The presentation presented the fact that it is significant to have a healthy online image that is also portrayed in reality.
In this generation, technology and social media have served as a way to investigate interviewees and their social life. Companies, organizations and even small businesses want to hire someone with a clean image on and off of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the other plethora of social media sites.
To conclude each day of the conference, Enactus provided an etiquette dinner exclusively for freshman business majors.
Huffstetler mentioned how useful the tips were the night of the dinner. “I personally loved learning how to eat right, and also the food was really good,” said Huffstetler.
The professionals made it clear that having the appropriate etiquette during a conversation, dinner and even in an interview can make or break whether you are hired for a position.
For Huffstetler it was important to attend the two sessions “Communication Skills for Women in Business” presented by Professor Hopkins and “New to Networking.”
Huffstetler learned various insights about women portrayed in the business industry and how to get past potential challenges. All in all, Huffstetler enjoyed the conference. “I would love to go to more etiquette dinners, if possible!” said Huffstetler.