Q-camp gives sophomores crash course in business

Approximately 140 University of Richmond sophomores were given the opportunity to network and learn about business from professionals in their prospective fields by attending Q-Camp on Jan. 25-26.

Sophomore Ann Louise Seaton found Q-Camp, named for alumnus Paul Queally, useful because it gave students tips on how to interact in the business world and prepared them for the process of entering the industry, which is especially applicable now, when many students are looking for internships, she said.

The workshop was held at the Westin Hotel, where students attended seminars about business as a large group, as well as in smaller breakout sessions more tailored to each student's interests, which sophomore Carlton Zesch said he had found particularly helpful.

The students learned business tools, such as how to craft an elevator speech, how to dine in a business setting and the importance of following up after meeting new business contacts, among other things, Zesch said.

"[Q-Camp] taught me that you really have to be on your game when it comes to networking and maintaining business relationships," Zesch said.

Zesch found the weekend useful, but he suggested evening out the ratio of students to professionals during the final networking dinner, so that each student could have more face time with the people they were trying to network with.

"Because the ratio wasn't good, you couldn't talk to people on a personal level and actually network with them, which was one of the main reasons I went," Zesch said.

Seaton said: "It was almost a competition to go meet them all because everyone wanted to talk to the same people. So you had to go up with a purpose and be willing to put yourself out there right away."

Seaton liked ending the event with the networking dinner because she and the other students were able to gain networking experience in a safe environment, she said.

"I would encourage people to go because you don't know what could come out of it," Seaton said. "It could be something really great."

Contact staff writer Erin Flynn at erin.flynn@richmond.edu