NORFOLK, Neb. – Never underestimate the power of a business lunch, especially when there are professionals looking to hire.
That’s one of the reasons why Northeast Community College students get the opportunity each spring to experience such an event during a networking luncheon at the Lifelong Learning Center.
“This is such a valuable opportunity for our students to experience networking with the outstanding business professionals in our community,” said Angela Shaffer, business instructor. “Additionally, students can begin to build a mentoring relationship with the professional attendees and create a lifelong connection with local organizations.”
Students who attended the luncheon were asked to circulate among the tables and engage with the business professionals, who stayed at the same tables.
Cara Hoehne, business instructor, said the networking luncheon has been taking place at Northeast for years.
“It helps them to work on their professionalism and to make conversation and eat at the same time. It’s not always that easy and some of our students are incredibly nervous about that,” she said. “We always tell them, it is not going to be as bad as they think.”
Stacy Anderson, business instructor, said it can be tricky because about the time a person takes a big bite of food, they might get asked a question.
“If the students aren’t graduating, they have cooperative internships to do, so it helps them build connections. It hits them at a good time,” Anderson said.
Kristina Osborne, accounting instructor, said the business professionals who attend are a combination of people who have attended previous years along with some new ones. There are even some professionals who previously were sitting on the other side of the table as Northeast students, she said.
“Our former students know how impactful this was, so they come back and help us,” Osborne said.
Networking Luncheon
Jason Busch (left) of American Family Insurance of Norfolk eats lunch during a networking luncheon last spring at Northeast Community College. At right are Northeast students Austin Breckenridge and Josie Lange. (Northeast Community College)
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