Events

Business Etiquette Dinner with Dr. Jacquelyn Pelzer

The importance of proper etiquette at a business lunch or dinner cannot be overstated, in any profession.  It is vital to make a terrific first impression, and displaying improper etiquette can make an instant, negative first impression. Many veterinary students have not had experience with business discussions or interviews conducted over a meal. Many summer program and job interviews may be conducted over a meal and learning the proper behavior is important. There are many unspoken rules, but practice makes perfect. Luckily, 70 students had the chance to learn proper business etiquette over a wonderful five course meal hosted by Dr. Jacqueline Pelzer in Davis Hall on the Virginia Tech main campus.

Jacquelyn Pelzer, DVM, is a graduate of VMRCVM, currently works for the Virginia Tech Career Services Dept., and is married to another Dr. Pelzer, who most of you know.  She, along with her husband Dr. Pelzer, entertained the students and faculty with a presentation of proper business etiquette. She used funny movie and television clips as examples of what not to do, such as the infamous Seinfeld “double-dip.”  She showed us how to properly tip our soup bowls, which utensil to use when, and how to pass the bread around a table. (For those of you that could not make the dinner, ask the person to your left, than pass the bread to the right).

Another treat of the dinner included VMRCVM’s faculty members and their significant others as the table leaders. The table leaders guided the students with great conversation topics and additional business etiquette advice.

Overall, the dinner was a tremendous success, and we hope to host a similar event next year.