As Iowa State graduates leave the cocoon of academia, they must face the demands of the real world. To help graduates with their new challenge, the Senior Class Council held the Real World Seminar Tuesday night in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union.

The seminar, attended by about 50, addressed the topics of social graces, networking, personal financial management and alumni clubs.

There is always time for courtesy in the workplace, said Amy Kahler of the Principal Financial Group of Des Moines. To emphasize her point, she quoted the neighbor, Mr. Wilson, from the “Home Improvement” television show: “Life is not so short that there is not enough time for courtesy.”

Kahler said people have two different personas. “How I act at home is certainly not how I act with others. I don’t care what you do with your friends [or] at home. Be yourself. But when you get to work I would suggest that you show some courtesy,” she said.

The rules of etiquette have certainly changed from those of past generations. Men no longer have to hold open doors for women, she said as an example. Kahler said whoever gets to the door first is now expected to hold it open for others.

“Don’t be afraid to break those traditional barriers,” Kahler said. “In a business setting, everyone is equal and should be treated as such.”

Communication etiquette is so important in the workplace, Kahler said, it is “a whole separate topic in itself.”

Tact is essential in conveying a message, she said. “You can convey any message you want — any message at all — in the workplace. But it is how you present it that is important,” she said.

“Practice courtesy in your everyday life, because it can be time well spent,” Kahler said.

Another way to spend time well is to network, as it is “important to compete in today’s job market,” said Steve Hanson of Meyocks & Priebe Advertising in Des Moines.

“Any way you have to differentiate yourself is important,” he said. While the skills to effectively network may appear to be difficult, Hanson said that is not the case.

“There is a tendency to over-complicate networking,” he said. “Networking is developing relationships that are mutually beneficial for both parties involved.”

To demystify networking, Hanson has reduced the skill to two tasks, cultivating relationships and managing contacts.

“Reaching out to other people requires leaving your own group,” Hanson said. “Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone,” he said, as leaving the zone allows you to learn new things about other people.

Another way to meet new people with whom to network is to join organizations, Hanson said.

Hanson said people tend to be very good at reaching out to people, but “lack the constant contact management afterwards.” To maintain contacts, make “well-timed communications” to those people, he said.

“After you meet someone for the first time, send them a thank you note saying ‘nice to meet you, I liked hearing about your organization,'” Hanson said.

Planning for the future is Angie Handorf’s specialty. Handorf, special agent with Prudential Preferred Financial Services in West Des Moines, talked about responsible financial planning.

Handorf said to build a solid financial base, a “wealth-creation pyramid” must be built. “The pyramid looks at what you need to have first before you get into complicated investments,” she said.

The pyramid is based on several insurance policies — health, car, home, life and disability. In addition, it is vital to set aside money as an emergency fund.

“I have seen so many people focus on paying off their debts and investing money that they fail to put money aside in a savings account for an emergency fund,” Handorf said.

The fund is there for unforeseen events, Handorf said. “The rule of thumb is to have three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund in a savings account,” she said, and recommended $2,000 to $5,000 for single people just starting out.

After the basics are taken care of, it is time to move to investing in retirement planning and mutual funds, Handorf said. “Both of them are almost necessities in getting where you want to be to meet your goals,” she said.

Financial planning is important as the chances on today’s workers having Social Security available for them in the future are “next to slim,” Handorf said. “Fifty years ago, 42 workers were contributing Social Security taxes for every retiree taking benefits out. Today it is only four people,” she said.

Another investment that can have personal returns is contributing to the community.

Involvement in the community is a great source for meeting new people, Jenny Webber of the ISU Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Club of Des Moines, said. “When you move, you are going to be networking yourself when you get involved in those two or three community organizations. That is good business from day one,” she said.

“When you leave the office,” Webber said, “remember that who you are stays with you.”