The Mocktail Party
Annually, the AAAC Mentoring Circle hosts a training program designed to teach students the art of networking. The “mocktail party” is a simulated networking event held during the Reunion Weekend that places Black VCU students and alumni in a networking environment. Students receive pre-event instructions to dress for success and to bring business cards. Check back for details on the 2024 event.
The facilitators create a relaxed environment for the student participants to feel comfortable socializing with professionals from multiple disciplines. These networking sessions enable the students to put into action the key skills of:
- Introducing themselves
- Proper eating etiquette
- Engaging in meaningful conversation with a person they do not know
- Transitioning discussion to sharing a business card or resume
- Gracefully exiting conversations to ensure a positive and lasting impression
The attentiveness and interest level of the students throughout the two 20-minute networking sessions are discussed in hopes of improving responses and increasing confidence among students in presenting themselves verbally and nonverbally.
The goal is to increase students’ engagement in appropriate conversation on a business level as measured by the adult participants who rate the students’ progress in the second session compared to the first session.
