Week 2: Perfectly Polished

Last Friday, the Honors Mentorship students took a trip to Gainesville for a "Perfectly Polished" meeting, held by ms. Lassiter, to help prepare us in being professional in the business world. One thing she stressed on that was important was handshakes. Before going to this seminar, I always thought that right when you meet someone, you reach your hand out and give them a firm handshake, but she went way beyond my knowledge. I learned that you introduce yourself before shaking hands, and to also make eye contact with the person while doing it. She also mentioned that giving too firm of a handshake could be a bad thing, and taught the students how to give proper ones. Another thing she coached us on was proper introductions. Ms. Lassiter explained how using the persons name around three times in one introduction shows that you think that person is important to you. She gave us great tips on what to say, and when to say it. Not only did she teach us how to introduce ourselves, she taught on how to introduce others. She showed us to always mention the more important person first. Before I went to the meeting, I never would have even thought of that.. One other thing she shared was about what to do with your hands while speaking with someone. Having your hands down by your side shows you are confident, not hiding anything, and is completely open to hearing what the other is saying. Until this seminar, I never realized that what you did with your hands actually showed things about you. "Perfectly Polished" trained me to be professional in so many ways, and I can't wait to use my new knowledge from it in my every day life.