How Professional Connections Really Form
ASCM Free Virtual Student Night  Event
 Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 5:55 PM (Eastern Time)
(Earn 1.0 CEU)

Joint Meeting with
ASCM/APICS Massachusetts Minuteman, Northern New England,
Houston & New Haven Chapters, & ASQ New Haven

Networking doesn’t have to feel awkward, forced, or transactional.

This one-hour interactive virtual Student Night is designed for college students and early-career professionals who want to build real professional connections—without small-talk anxiety or feeling like they need to “sell themselves.”

Often described as the “Never Eat Alone” mindset, effective networking isn’t about being outgoing or knowing the right people. It’s about curiosity, good questions, and simple follow-up habits that build meaningful relationships over time.

Participants will engage in guided discussion and small-group practice focused on:

• Starting genuine professional conversations
• Identifying what you already have to offer—even early in your career
• Asking better questions that lead to real dialogue
• Using simple follow-up habits to keep connections warm
  
  

Attendees will leave with practical next steps and a repeatable framework they can use immediately in classes, internships, and early professional roles.

This Student Night is a collaborative effort with contributors from the ASCM Massachusetts Minuteman Chapter, ASCM New Haven Chapter, ASCM Northern New England Chapter, and ASQ New Haven—demonstrating how professional connections form through shared effort.

Session Flow

• Welcome and framing: how professional connections really form
• Interactive discussion and guided exercises
• Small-group breakout practice
• Practical takeaways and next steps
• Chapter Information & Next Steps for Students (brief closing segment)
  
  

Who Should Attend

• College students
• Early-career professionals
• Anyone who wants to build professional connections in a practical, low-pressure way
  
  

Event Facilitators

Derek Aranda, VP Student Activities, ASCM Houston Chapter
Andreas Seckler, CEO at Trim Tab & Mastermind Coach at Beyond Connections
Maggie Walenty, Senior Manager, Business Process and Systems, Repligen & Director of Education and Research, ASCM Massachusetts Minuteman Chapter

Volunteer Zoom Room Facilitators

Karla Gates, Director of SIOP & Operations Services at ZOLL Medical Corporation
Dan McCarthy, Head of Supply Chain and Operations for Blink, an Amazon Devices subsidiary
Brandon Nelson, Senior Supply Chain and Planning Leader 
Calvin Schneider, Recruitment Consultant at DSJ Global

When you submit your registration, a message with
 the Zoom link and login information will be displayed. 
Please copy and save this information

You will also receive an email confirmation which contains this information.
NOTE: If you do not receive this email within an hour after you register,
please email [email protected]