School of Business Students Practice Networking Skills

In collaboration with the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, Fairmont State University’s School of Business hosted a Business After Hours event on campus on March 8, providing a valuable networking opportunity for students.

The Marion County Chamber of Commerce offers these events every month as a way to showcase member businesses and to create a great networking opportunity for businesses and organizations. The School of Business partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to host the March event as a way to give students a chance to interact with local businesses.

Leading up to the event, students attended “How to Dress” and “How to Network” sessions, which helped prepare them for the Business After Hours. One of these prep sessions featured Jessica Sell, the Director of Development for the Fairmont State Foundation.

“I talked to them about the long-term aspects of networking with the story of my career. I wanted to assist them in preparing for their upcoming Business After Hours,” Sell said of her talk. Along with advice on business cards, looking fresh even after a long day at work and how to work the room, Sell emphasized that successful networking is about building relationships, self-confidence and the willingness to serve others.

Feedback to the School of Business from the students and businesses who attended the event was positive, said Amanda Tuscan, Academic Success Coordinator for the School of Business. She said that the students were happy for the opportunity, and the business leaders were impressed with the students.

“The School of Business hopes to hold more of these types of events in the future to showcase our students and demonstrate what Fairmont State University and the School of Business can do for the community,” Tuscan said.

Marion County Chamber of CommerceSchool of BusinessAmanda TuscanJessica SellFairmont State Foundation