In the Up to Speed section, you'll find articles related to Business Fellows topics—administrative details, like the travel information you'll read about here, as well as event information and other important things you'll need to know as your Business Fellows experience progresses through the year.
Etiquette Dinner
October 23 or 24
Don't know a fork from a faux pas? Attend the Professional Etiquette Dinner October 23 or 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Alumni Center. This program will be an opportunity for you to learn what it takes to make a great first impression and how to navigate through a formal dinner with style. During the meal, you will learn the basics of proper dining from use of the napkin, silverware, and glassware to what to do at the conclusion of the meal. During the four-course meal, Career Center staff members will guide you through the fine-dining experience. The meal will be incorporated with a networking session in which participants get to practice juggling hors d'oeuvres and punch while greeting people and carrying on conversation.
A Look Ahead
Mark your calendars today for the remaining Professional Development Workshops for Business Fellows:
President’s Reception
Wednesday, November 15 (Bracken House), 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Communication Skills
Saturday, November 4 ( Student Center), 8:30 a.m. – noon
At this seminar, corporate trainer Mike Polites will discuss presentation skills, communication skills, listening skills, and persuasion skills. A past Indiana State Champion of Humorous Speaking, Mike earned two degrees from Ball State and has worked in sales and consulting.
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Saturday, November 11 ( Minnetrista Cultural Center), 8:30 a.m. – noon
During this seminar, learning consultant Kevin Eikenberry will highlight problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The founder of his own training and consulting organization, Kevin’s clients include Fortune 500 companies, universities, and government agencies.
Required Workshops:
November 9, 20, 28, and December 6, 4:30 – 6 p.m. at the Alumni Center
Choose two of the four workshops.
Important Travel Information
As a Business Fellow you may be traveling to your partner site to conduct business related to your project. While your faculty mentor will provide guidance for your team related to travel, it is important that you be familiar with Ball State’s travel policies and the required paperwork.
Guidelines for university travel including sample university travel forms can be found in the General Information section of your Business Fellows binder, which you will receive at the professionalism seminar. Any student traveling for Business Fellows needs to complete an Authorization for Travel Form B-27 for each trip. If you are requesting a university vehicle, a Vehicle Request Form B-28 must be completed for each vehicle. For example, one faculty mentor and four Business Fellows students are traveling to Indianapolis in one university van. In this case one travel authorization form, listing the driver and all passengers, and one vehicle request form need to be completed and submitted together. All travel authorizations need to be signed by the traveler and all vehicle passengers need to be listed on the vehicle request. Submit completed forms to Cindy Hershman in the Career Center. Signatures of approval are required from Nicole Feldhues, project manager, and Jeannine Harrold, project director.
Please turn forms in at least two weeks in advance in order to provide enough time to request a vehicle, gather the required signatures, and submit all forms to the transportation office. Forms can be obtained from your academic department or by your faculty mentor online through FormBlaster found on BSU@Work. If you have questions about this process or how to complete a form, ask your faculty mentor or call Cindy Hershman at 285-2436.
Camp Adventure a Success!
Thank you to all the Business Fellows and faculty mentors who attended the team building event on October 7. The activities were great and gave each team an opportunity to work together and map out plans of action for each task. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the progress of your teams throughout the year. Thanks to all of you for your interest and commitment to Business Fellows. Because of you, we are off to a good start!
