Beyond the Books: New Program Focuses On Professional, Soft Skills

This story was first featured in the 2024 edition of Campus Magazine. Click here to see more!

Twenty Elmira College students, dressed in their best business professional outfits, recently gathered in the Campus Center. Their evening began with light, nervous chatter as they practiced how to network. Then, as they sat down to dinner, they learned where to put their napkin, which fork to use, and other business etiquette dos and don’ts. After dinner, the students walked away with more poise and confidence.

The experience was a pivotal part of the Under Wing Mentoring Program developed by the Office of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement and the Center for Academic and Professional Excellence (CAPE).

“Soon after I arrived at EC, I realized that our students are unbelievably bright and talented, but many lack the professional polish employers seek,” explained Paula Lee Hobson, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Engagement. “On the flip side of the coin, our alumni often asked us to give them meaningful things to do that would have an immediate impact. This program came out of those two elements: provide hands-on preparatory training and connect our alumni with students interested in their career fields.”

Those two points led Hobson, who had implemented similar programs at other schools, to seek out Stephanie Johnson, Director of the Center for Academic and Professional Excellence and Dean of Retention and Student Success. Johnson was on board.

The Office of Career Services, an office within CAPE, provided a series of workshops that participating students attended prior to the Beyond the Books: Soaring to Professional Success etiquette networking event and dinner. The workshops guided students through the process of drafting resumes and cover letters, participating in mock interviews, and developing a LinkedIn professional networking profile. At the networking event and dinner, students received professional headshots.

“Evident from the etiquette dinner, the students who come out of this program are prepared, more confident, and empowered to leap into career networking!” asserted Stephanie Johnson, Director of CAPE and Dean of Retention and Student Success.
“I practiced professional skills and learned more about myself,” shared Emily Lenzen ’27, a Business Administration major. “I appreciate the opportunity to speak with well-rounded individuals and leaders here at Elmira College. I feel better prepared for those tougher questions in interviews and how to leave a positive impression on employers.”

“The dinner especially taught me how to improve my communication skills while using proper dining techniques,” added Nicholas Lees ’25, also a Business Administration major. “These are invaluable skills as they help you stand out in a room full of other candidates. The expertise that I gained from this experience will be important for me as I continue searching for the career job that best suits me for my future.”

With the dinner behind them, students in the program are now ready to be paired with alumni working in their fields of interest. And that, says Hobson, leads to what the program is all about.

“My ultimate dream for every student is to walk across the graduation stage knowing they’re ready for a good job in their career field, and for our alumni to feel connected and proud of their role in our students' lives.”

Ready to get involved in the Under Wing Mentoring Program? Reach out to the Office of Alumni Engagement today!
(607) 735-1855
alumni@elmira.edu
www.elmira.edu/alumni