On January 26, 2016, Chatham University’s Business and Entrepreneurship Department co-hosted two professional development events with Chatham Marketing Association and The Office of Student Affairs. The first event was the Marketing Reception, followed by an etiquette dinner titled “The Essentials of Dining in a Business Setting.” The Marketing Reception was the department’s first networking event of spring semester. It provided an opportunity for Chatham students, faculty, and area professionals to connect. Professionals in attendance included:
• Steven Sarfin, VP of Marketing at MedExpress
• Cheryl Talerico, Director of Marketing at Sisterson & Co. LLP
• Lisa Seligman, Freelance Photographer at Images by Lisa Seligman
• MJ Callaway, CSP, Sales Retention Expert at MjC & Company, Rock More Sales
“Chatham’s Marketing Reception provided a way to network with other business owners, as well as marketing students ready to join the workforce,” commented MJ Callaway of Rock More Sales. “As a business owner, I had the opportunity to gain insight into today’s marketing with new ideas from the marketing students and other like-minded business owners.”
Holly Schott, Master of Business Administration (MBA) candidate with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Leadership & Strategy, had a chance to speak with Callaway, exclaiming, “I really enjoyed talking to MJ Callaway and learning about her business. It was really interesting that she has had Chatham MBA students work with her company for class projects before.” Katherine Sclabassi, a sophomore Management student and officer of the Chatham Marketing Association, agreed with this sentiment noting “I greatly enjoyed attending and talking with professionals from my field.”
Following the Marketing Reception was a professional development dinner titled “The Essentials of Dining in a Business Setting.” Here, students received direction and advice on proper American business etiquette. Faculty and area professionals in attendance shared their tips on professional communication as well. “The etiquette dinner was not only delicious, it was an eye opener about basic table manners and skills in a professional dining context,” shares Dr. Deborah DeLong, Associate Professor of Marketing at Chatham. “I had no idea I was so shockingly ignorant about when and how my silverware should be used! Thank you, Dr. Sean McGreevey (Assistant Dean of Chatham Career Development), for your valuable expertise and Parkhurst Dining for the excellent feast!”
The Marketing Reception and Etiquette Dinner were two of many networking opportunities hosted by Chatham’s Business & Entrepreneurship Department for students at the undergraduate and graduate level. The department has monthly themed mixers with topics focusing on Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Entrepreneurship and more. Mixers allow students to gain insight into potential internship opportunities, career planning, advising, and student development. All attending professionals have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other accomplished professionals in fields of all business backgrounds.
