By Elisabeth Zarnoti '17

Helping students prepare for job interviews, write a professional resume, and succeed in life beyond Knox is the mission of the Bastian Family Career Center. Another skill they help students master is the etiquette business dinner.

The meal is an annual event open to students of any class standing and academic background. This year, 30 students took advantage of this active learning opportunity,  dressing in business casual attire for the evening.

Lessons included tips for better use of dining utensils during a meal, and the skill of talking in between bites of food. The dinner also discussed physical cues to avoid that could convey an undesirable impression to potential clients or coworkers during business situations.

Sarah Choi '18, felt that the dinner was informative and the lessons taught could be applied to nearly any other professional situation. "I learned that about 80 to 90 percent of how I look to someone from a few feet away can provide a clear first impression; this includes whether or not I'm crossing my arms, hunching, or leaning my hips to the side."

From being mindful of one's body language to knowing which way the knife should be placed on the plate after eating (blade facing the user and laying horizontally on top half of the plate), "good manners in a business setting are very important because you are leaving an impression on those you are dining with," said Terri Saline, director of the Bastian Family Career Center.