Converse Students Reach Networking ‘PIQUE’ at Young Professionals Event
Written by John Jeter
Imagine being a freshman thrown into a high-powered networking event when you are barely three months into your Converse University experience. Now imagine you’re tasked with circulating among more than 150 sharp professionals and collecting business cards from at least three of them and then later sharing your experiences with your classmates.
The 20 students in Professor Jeter’s class ‘Introduction to Creating Your Personal Brand’ (First Year Seminar – ATM 125) did just that in mid-October at PIQUE, a “networking-palooza” in downtown Greenville’s swank Hyatt Regency.
“There is nothing like hearing about experiences from the people behind the brands themselves. I learned about branding, networking and myself during PIQUE,” Dance major Ronald Foxe ’28 wrote in a reflection that was also required of the student attendees. “I learned that there is no one better to be than myself.”
Ten at The Top (TATT), which works to market the Upstate to attract businesses (and the best and brightest) here, has provided complimentary tickets to Converse First Year Seminar students for years.
At this year’s PIQUE, students met with such heavy hitters as the president/CEO of an Upstate Chamber of Commerce, an assistant to Clemson’s President, and marketing and public relations directors for Miracle Hill Ministries and the Hispanic Alliance, among others.
Students attended workshops and sat in on executive roundtables while also cruising the halls to network with young professionals ages 24-35 and corporate decision-makers. Several students nabbed internships during the afternoon.
“Events like this are not just about who you meet, but also about how you present yourself, and the experience reinforced how important personal branding is in aligning with the professional goals I want to pursue,” Marielle Pinto ’28, a double major in Business Administration; Communications and Media Studies wrote.
TATT applauded Converse’s attendees, several of whom walked away with internships.
TATT applauded Converse’s attendees, several of whom walked away with internships. “I was so impressed by this year’s cohort. They jumped right into a situation that many would find daunting, asking thoughtful and interesting questions,” says Anna-Elyse Abrams Lewis, the organization’s Marketing and Communications Manager.
The entire event underscored Converse’s First Year Seminar coursework, which includes brand/personal identity, authenticity, gratitude and confidence.
“I learned more at PIQUE than I had ever learned in the 17 years I have been on this planet,” Health & Wellness Studies major Ian Russell ’28 noted.
Many students also reflected that PIQUE helped them burst through their “comfort zone.”
“These interactions left me feeling empowered and grateful for the opportunity to connect with such successful individuals.”
Ayanna Aarons ’28
“I visibly had more confidence than I had before,” Business Administration major Jacob Wren ’28 wrote, while Ayanna Aarons ’28 commented: “These interactions left me feeling empowered and grateful for the opportunity to connect with such successful individuals.”
PIQUE occurs during the First Year Seminar, which is a version of the more intensive ATM-255 Creating Your Personal Brand class during the January Term at Converse University.
Both courses feature communications exercises and games, individual presentations, and guest speakers and Zooms with the likes of, among others, a VP at The Recording Academy/The Grammy Awards and the former VP of Global Marketing for Coca-Cola who oversaw Coke’s presence at the Olympics and World Cup.
For more information about the Creating Your Personal Brand classes, contact Adjunct Professor John Jeter at john.jeter@au99168.com.