Preparing students for success beyond the classroom with the Honors College professional networking event

The art of networking goes beyond exchanging business cards or rehearsed introductions. It involves learning how to communicate with confidence, listen with intention and engage in conversations that build lasting professional relationships. For students, mastering this skill is an important step toward future academic and career success.

Earlier this semester, the Honors College hosted a Professional Networking Event, offering students an opportunity to practice professional communication skills and connect with local professionals across a range of fields. Designed as both a learning experience and a confidence-building exercise, the event allowed students to apply networking strategies in a welcoming, real-world setting.

“I think it’s very important to get out and start meeting people,” said student participant Tyler Ruskin a Honors rising junior in mechanical engineering. “Connections are definitely the most important thing in finding a job.”

To prepare for the networking experience, students were required to attend one of two professional etiquette workshops hosted prior to the event. The workshops focused on essential skills needed for professional interaction, including introductions, professional communications and preparation of their own “elevator pitches.”

Travis Harrison, experience and marketing specialist with Auburn Opelika Tourism, assisted students with developing professional communication plans during the workshops. “I felt heavily invested in this event. Thinking back to my time as a student, career prep was never part of the syllabus. Giving students the opportunity to practice networking and professional communication will be much more common in higher education in the future,” said Harrison.

Students noted that the workshops played a key role in their readiness for the event. “This was a good opportunity to make use of the skills we’ve been learning about and get real-world practice,” said Kate Hardy, an Honors freshmen majoring in finance who participated in the event. “It’s something that you should practice and practice often.” The intentional preparation ensured that students entered the networking event with clear expectations and practical tools, transforming what can often feel like an intimidating experience into an empowering one.

“Students tend to get a good deal of support in writing resumes and preparing for interviews, but less scripted arenas like receptions can be so important to developing one’s career,” said Laura Stevens, Honors College director. “They can also be quite terrifying because there are so many small challenges like holding a small plate of appetizers while shaking someone’s hand. Practice is really the only preparation for these events, so we decided to organize an event that would give our students this practice. I’m really delighted at how it turned out and very grateful to Dr. Comer for her work in organizing it.”

During the event, students engaged in one-on-one and small-group conversations with professionals, asking questions about career trajectories, workplace culture and postgraduate opportunities. The professionals, many of whom have experience mentoring students, expressed appreciation for the students’ preparation and enthusiasm.

“Events like these are important because students have the opportunity to practice their professional skills. They learn how to move through a room, how to network and how to put themselves out there and get out of their comfort zone, which is so essential,” said   Michelle Hamff, director education and engagement at Gogue Performing Arts Center. “When then leave Auburn, students need to know how to navigate receptions in an appropriate manner.”

“We are incredibly grateful to the community members who volunteered their time to support this event,” said Whitney Comer, Associate Director of Student Affairs for the Honors College. “Their willingness to share their expertise and engage with our students played a vital role in making the evening such a success, and we deeply appreciate their ongoing commitment to helping our students grow as emerging professionals.”

The Professional Networking Event reflects the Honors College’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. By pairing foundational instruction through etiquette workshops with experiential learning, the college continues to create meaningful opportunities for students to develop confidence, professionalism and career readiness. Events like this not only help students build networks but also encourage them to see themselves as emerging professionals ready to engage beyond the university setting.