Western Nebraska Community College's Business After Hours is going back to its roots.
For the first time in years, the WNCC Chamber Business After Hours will serve as a
business and student professional mixer. The Scottsbluff/Gering Chamber of Commerce
event hosted by WNCC will be held Thursday, October 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the John
N. Harms Center. Area business professionals are encouraged to attend for an opportunity
to meet and network with WNCC students.
"I was combing through a 1968 yearbook and found a photo of hundreds of students at
a business-student mixer the college and Chamber co-hosted," WNCC Alumni Relations
Director Jennifer Sibal said. "It inspired me to bring that model to the current Business
After Hours event and create an opportunity for both our students and community businesses
and organization."
"This event will provide a great experience for business leaders to share their insight
with our future workforce," said Karen Anderson, executive director of the Scottsbluff/Gering
Chamber of Commerce. "Communication is the key to success and we can all learn from
each other, so we are delighted WNCC is showcasing its awesome students."
The WNCC Business After Hours, free and open to the public, fills a void often voiced
by community leaders, Sibal said.
"One thing we hear consistently from area businesses is the desire for more student
access for things like part-time employment or internships," Sibal said. "We hope
business leaders are able to take advantage of the opportunity to connect and plant
a seed with our students."
Sibal expects a strong student turnout at the event, noting a strong buy-in from WNCC
faculty for the event. In fact, many WNCC instructors are offering extra credit for
any student in attendance, she said. Students in every WNCC program have been invited,
which should result in a wide range of student representation.
"There should be a diverse representation of students in attendance, those studying
everything from trades, business, human services and healthcare." she said. "Plus,
this professional mixer will give our students a chance to further develop the soft
skills needed to earn jobs in their post-college journey. I'm excited to see how some
of these conversations blossom into meaningful connections in the community."