Inaugural STEM Mocktail Mixer Helps Students Develop Professional Skills

Inaugural STEM Mocktail Mixer Helps Students Develop Professional Skills

The University of Toledo hosted its inaugural STEM Mocktail Mixer Tuesday, April 26, in the College of Engineering's Brady Center, an event that left a lasting impact on students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees.

The STEM Mocktail Mixer was designed to provide Choose Ohio First (COF) scholars with an environment to cultivate their networking abilities, foster meaningful connections and gain valuable insights into professional etiquette. The COF program is designed to ensure Ohio employers have access to the talent they need to address workforce needs.

"In addition to preparing students with technical training in STEM disciplines such as engineering, mathematics and pharmacy, we also must provide our students with professional skills to meet employer needs, and the mixer is one of the activities we provide our COF scholars to build these skills, which are essential for professional growth and success," said Dr. Scott Molitor, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

The mixer was a strategic opportunity for students to initiate conversations that count, as attendees engaged in purposeful conversations and learned how to navigate professional discussions and scenarios. Students honed their communication skills by discussing research projects, career aspirations, or industry trends.

"Meeting the others was great," said Kyle McCord, a freshman studying electrical engineering technology. "I got to meet most of all the other scholars, and it was nice to see their experience with COF."

The event emphasized the importance of professional decorum - from firm handshakes to attire - and students absorbed valuable etiquette tips that will serve them well in future networking scenarios. And they participated in a mock social environment where they were challenged to introduce themselves to faculty and staff, who were playing the roles of keynote speakers, conference presenters and distinguished researchers. Attendees also collected raffle tickets throughout the evening as they practiced these skills.

"I enjoyed the sequencing of events that allowed us to apply the information that we were just given," said Cait Kleinfelter, a junior studying actuarial science. "This way, we can immediately practice networking and see what we need to work on."

The Office of the Provost, Career Services and faculty and staff from the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the College of Engineering collaborated on this successful event.

"I am grateful to the Career Services staff for their participation in this event, which exemplified the impact of intentional outreach and cross-campus collaboration to provide an enriching student experience that was fun, relevant and memorable," Molitor said. "We're excited to see this grow, as we plan to make this an annual collaborative event."