By: Nicole Reisinger - Maryland Athletics Student Assistant
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Standing in a crowd, some faces appear familiar and others foreign. The reassuring company of a teammate or the glance from a coach provides the confidence to put your best foot forward and advocate for yourself.
The University of Maryland hosted a Business Etiquette Dessert Social at the College
Park Marriott Tuesday evening. Providing networking opportunities for studentathletes,
the event proved to be extremely beneficial. Lauren Scott, the keynote speaker for the evening, is currently a Human Resources Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Defense, and an adjunct professor at Johnson C. Smith University.
Throughout her presentation, she stressed the importance of networking, conduct at professional receptions, and acceptable attire. The most important, however, was being able to effectively brand and promote oneself.
Aligned with the same goals as Brand U - a program at Maryland aimed to help Terps successfully enter the professional world - Scott's speech concentrated on the importance of one's 'Elevator Speech'.
Tasked with having to draft a speech, the athletes put pen to paper and tried to pinpoint
what set them apart from the crowd. Joe Rogers, the assigned Director's Circle Mentor, offered invaluable advice to Sarah Lang (softball,) Jacqui Pascual (softball), Emily Brauckmuller (gymnastics), Eric Thomas (track and field), and Alice Mercer (lacrosse).
Rogers suggested that the interview process, and even day-to-day conversations, are much “easier if you have an idea who you're talking to.” Although this might seem like common sense, he implores that you “do your research and figure out what drives them.”
After rehearsing their speeches at the table, each student-athlete had a newfound sense
of confidence.
Mercer shared that she is a sociology major currently training with the U.S. Women's National Lacrosse Team, a personable leader who wants a career in school counseling, she aspires to help children.
Thomas, an architecture major, volunteered to share his Elevator Speech with all in attendance. His confident and professional delivery resulted in a confirming round of applause.
Roger likens a person's traits to an iceberg: what you do not see usually has the biggest
impact. While good first impressions and smiles are important, it is the qualities like integrity, strategic thinking, relentless drive, collaborative and creative thinking that make the biggest impact.
