Students learned essential etiquette skills at the annual The Art of the Business Meal event.

It was an experiential learning event aptly paced for a four-course meal; some coaching/teaching, mentoring, questions and answers, and of course lunching.

The Center for Career and Professional Development and the School of Business at the College of Staten Island (CSI) hosted an annual event, “The Art of The Business Meal: An Etiquette Luncheon” last week, held at the Campus Center Park Café on March 9, 2018.

About 50 students from various disciplines across the College participated.

Susan L. Holak, PhD., Founding Dean of the School of Business, said that the luncheon was designed to expose students from all backgrounds to soft skills, such as interpersonal communications, in a professional setting. An interview luncheon or a formal dinner can be a tricky endeavor and students walked away with a toolkit of DOs and DON’Ts to effectively navigate such business occasions.

Warrick Bell, Executive Associate to the Dean of the School of Business, facilitated the two-hour luncheon. He introduced each segment of the meal by addressing various topics such as dressing appropriately, engaging in polite conversation, table settings and manners, making menu choices, and following the lead of the luncheon host at any professional event.

The luncheon table hosts thereafter shared relevant experiences and engaged in questions and answers with students at their tables. The industry and alumni table hosts were:

  • Zachary Crespi, CPA – Senior Associate Internal Audit, Compliance and Risk Management Solutions, PWC;
  • Daniel A. Finn – Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Beasley Media Group;
  • Orumé Hays, CPA, CGMA, Founder and Managing Director, Hays CPA;
  • Joseph Langella, Vice President – Investment Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors; and
  • Anita Romano, advisor for CUNY Macaulay Honors College at CSI for students in Business, Accounting, Economics, Information Systems, and Corporate Communications

The event was sponsored, in part, by a grant from the Campus Activities Board using Student Activity Fees. Dean Holak gave a heartfelt thanks to all staff members who worked to make the event successful, especially Annalisa Ciccotto, College Assistant in the School of Business.

One student, Andrew, noted that he was eager to practice his new luncheon etiquette knowledge with his family. Sheehan Dissanayare, an Accounting major (junior) also shared some feedback, “It was a great opportunity; proper business etiquette is essential for students in the business field.”