Secret Table Lunches Continue to Thrive
Vanderbilt Career Center
Serving undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and recent graduates (0-2 years) after graduation.
by Jacob Chabowski
The Career Center has found a winning formula for attracting students – free food and an element of surprise.?
In a recent event, the Career Center organized another secret lunch, bringing students together with an employer. The twist? Students had no prior knowledge of the employer they were about to meet.?
Penny Baga , the Assistant Director of Employer Relations, shared her perspective on this unique approach.?
“I think it gamifies the experience a little bit,” she said. “When you say ‘networking,’ it can just sound stiff and uninviting to students sometimes. The idea of a ‘secret lunch’ makes the experience sound more fun.”?
The only hints provided to students upon signing up were "Top female executive," "social impact," and "bilingual." These cryptic clues set the stage for an intriguing lunch.?
The mystery guest revealed at the event was Elisa Villanueva Beard , the CEO of Teach For America . Over a casual lunch, students had the opportunity to hear about Beard's journey to becoming a CEO and learn about the various opportunities that Teach for America offers.?
Taylor Ditsworth , a student from the Class of 2027, left feeling inspired by the lunch.?
“Teach For America has been a program that has interested and inspired me for years,” she said. “It was incredible to hear from Mrs. Villanueva Beard not only about her hard work to become CEO but also about the process of impacting generations of children."?
Beard, in turn, found inspiration in the students she met.?
“I left our time together inspired by their thoughtfulness and commitment to learning and innovation, and looking forward to their future impact,” she said. “This opportunity to hear from Vandy students and staff was a real pleasure.”?
The Career Center's approach to networking continues to create a positive and engaging experience for students, proving that a touch of fun can sometimes enhance professional development.?
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