NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

7/8/2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES -An elective class at Northwestern State University exposes students to a subtle yet important aspect in launching their careers on the right foot ­ business etiquette.

"Social and Business Etiquette continues to be one of the most popular electives offered at Northwestern," said Dr. Pat Pierson, associate professor and head of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Pierson said the class receives rave reviews from student evaluations with comments that is should be a core requirement for graduation.

"I tell students the first day that this is one fun class. No, it's not rocket science, but having the knowledge of which fork to use and how to make a great first impression could land them their dream job," Pierson said.

Course topics include business introductions, telephone and email etiquette, professional interview attire, international etiquette and foreign menu terms and proper behavior in the workplace. The class culminates in a hands-on lab experience in which the students dress in interview attire and participate in a business luncheon.

"Students gain self-confidence in displaying good table manners and paying attention to detail," Pierson said. "It could be just the thing that sets them apart from the furious competition for the top jobs in the marketplace."

Yonna Pasch, who took the class as an undergraduate, said she learned many fundamentals of business etiquette.

"A few basics included the proper way of greeting someone new in a business setting, table etiquette, and even the proper way to wear your name tag," she said. "I did learn more than I expected to learn. There was so much that I didn't know. Dr. Pierson truly enjoyed teaching the class, which made the class fun and exciting. Thanks to her, I still use the skills today in my everyday life."

Pasch earned her degree in hospitality management and tourism and is currently NSU's assistant director of Student Activities and Organizations.

About 50 students participate in Social and Business Etiquette every semester. Students are graded by taking three exams and completing several assignments. Participation in the business luncheon counts 50 points.

"The course has been in the department for many years, but I have adapted it to meet the needs of today's workplace.

"I would say the class did give me the sense of confidence I needed," Pasch said. "I know that I felt more confident in a setting such as a business luncheon or an interview because I wasn't concerned with issues of proper etiquette because I already knew the right thing to do because of the class. It became second nature to me. So all I had to do was be myself in the interview or luncheon and concentrate on my skills as a professional and not worry about what fork to use."

The class is offered every semester. For more information, call the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at (318) 357-5587.

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