The Fine Art of Small Talk
How to engage in meaningful conversations
About the Presentation
Technology and social media have affected our ability to interact and communicate with others face-to-face. The way we use our interpersonal skills has dramatically shifted, yet the number one asset for a job candidate is the ability to effectively communicate with others. Being able to initiate and sustain a conversation might be one of the most important skills to learn in the 21st century when it comes to building a network.
Talking to strangers and approaching groups of people at events seems daunting to many of us. The good news is, having meaningful conversations is something that can be learned. With practice and the right tools you can gain confidence and develop the ability to have a conversation with just about anyone.
Thursday, March 8, 2018
About the Presenter
Laura Chiuppi, Director - COBE Career Services at Boise State University
Laura Chiuppi is an east coast native, born and raised in Massachusetts. Her past experience offers her a unique insight into the difficulties her students face when it comes to finding a passion and landing a career. After completing her undergraduate degree, Laura struggled to find a career that aligned with her interests and expertise. This experience led her to go back to school and refocus her career goals. In 2014, she completed her master’s degree in education at UMASS Boston, specializing in administration. While in Boston, Laura served as Assistant Director at an international school for four years.
Laura has a passion and talent for working with people. Her strong interpersonal skills allow her to connect with a diverse student population. In her position as Director of COBE Career Services, she helps students identify their strengths and meet their career goals through exploration, development, knowledge and preparation. She inspires students to actively participate in their education and encourages them to think about their career goals early and often.
In addition to working with students, Laura has developed a series of event programming centered on helping students build a professional network and develop job skills.
Today, Laura is thrilled to be a part of the Boise State community. She’s proud to work for the College of Business and Economics where collaboration and innovation are valued. In COBE, Laura strives to foster connections with the business community that will promote economic prosperity, and build and retain our young, talented workforce. In addition to her work at Boise State, Laura serves on the Boise Young Professionals Leadership team as the chair of the Outreach Committee. She is also on the Junior Achievement Hire to Inspire Committee and Boise Workforce Education Committee.