Making Connections at DePaul’s Scholarship Lunch
As we near the end of the year DePaul hosts a scholarship lunch, where students who were recipients of scholarships and alumni and donors all get together. I was invited this year and was quite excited, since it lined up with my schedule and there would be free food. I was also a little nervous because a big part of this is networking.
Spoiler alert: the event went really well. It kicked off with networking and getting to view student projects, which were amazing. I had lots of great conversations with so many different people. We then sat down for a light lunch and continued our conversations at the table. The dessert buffet was excellent! They do seat you together with other like minded people according to your major. As a business student I got to sit with Driehaus professors, other business students, alumni who attended the business school, and even our dean! It was interesting hearing from all these people.
These events are great ways to start practicing networking skills in low pressure situations. Not only is everyone friendly, they want to talk to you and hear about your experience as a Depaul student. It’s also a great time to hear about their experiences. I got to meet people at different business related jobs and at various career stages. Also hearing advice on what they wish they did or didn’t do is always helpful.
I’m really glad I got to go. Luckily at DePaul a lot of these opportunities pop up. Although I’m always a little nervous, once I get there it all melts away. Getting to talk to alumni who have been in my situation and also hear about their careers is insightful. And a free lunch never hurts either!
~Sienna