Katherine Mason Young
Let’s face it, good social skills are the key to a successful life. They can open doors of opportunity, win over a potential employer, help diffuse an argument or even land a first date. Katherine Mason Young brings to life these essential skills we all need to engage with new people and navigate the world with courage and confidence.
TOPICS
- Career Development
- Character Development
- Dining Etiquette
- Interview Skills
- Social Skills
- Social Media Health
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES
KEYNOTES
Getting to know
Katherine Mason Young
Katherine Mason Young has been speaking and instructing social skills, confidence and etiquette courses nationally with the JDW Social Education Programs for over 18 years. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado with degrees in International Business and Marketing.
Katherine received her greatest cultural education while traveling around the world on the S.S. Universe – Semester at Sea. She then worked protocol during the World Economic Summit of the Eight, and has extensive international travel experience.
Katherine has appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, national television news broadcasts and KNUS – Success Talk Radio program. As Executive Director of ESP (Executive Social Presentation), her projects include corporate seminars nationally, in addition to regular engagements for Rocky Mountain Jr. Achievement, Leaders Challenge, The National Charity League and several academic, volunteer, and debutante organizations nationwide.
Katherine is a Colorado native and enjoys skiing, hiking, canoeing and camping. In addition, Katherine instructs Swing, Latin and Ballroom dancing.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
To help you promote your event with Katherine, CAMPUSPEAK has created promotional templates you can use. In this folder, you will find resources for social media, a promotional poster for printing, and press photos you can use for your event.
Link to Promotional Materials
LOGISTICAL MATERIALS
Below you will find logistical resources for the day of your event with Katherine.
In-Person Event AV Needs (PDF)
Speaking Introduction (PDF)
SEE WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY About Katherine Mason Young!
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dining Etiquette Essentials
How we dine is not only one of our most visible social assets, it is a skill that will be observed and judged throughout our lives. More business deals, relationships, life events and celebrations occur over a meal than at any other event, and yet there is no college course on the subject. Until now.
Simply put, our table manners define our civility and nowhere is our education and social skills more clearly on display. Much can be said about the way a person engages in a dining situation – are they rude to the waitstaff, gobble up everything on their plate or do things that make others uncomfortable? Our level of understanding and comfort in this arena will open doors of opportunity.
This keynote will explore the intricacies of contemporary social engagements, and provides a “crash course” on the basics of table manners and dining etiquette. From where to start and which fork to use, to how to handle a UFO ‘unidentified food object’, Katherine will give you the confidence and knowledge to navigate any dining situation so that you don’t find yourself saying, “The world was my oyster, but I used the wrong fork! (Oscar Wilde)”.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- Navigating the table – table settings, rules & expectations
- How to hold and use utensils
- Dining etiquette 101 – rules that everyone should know
- Do’s and taboo’s when dining
KEYNOTES
Social Skills Essentials
Good social skills are some of the most valuable and visible assets a person can have, yet most people struggle with face-to-face communication. In this engaging keynote, Katherine Mason Young transforms the age-old idea that etiquette is stuffy and boring and makes it a fun and insightful learning experience.
This session will explore the social essentials that will help anyone fit in, navigate awkward moments, get a date, land a job and achieve greater success both personally and professionally.
From the importance of body language to the art of small talk, Katherine brings social connections to light in an engaging and interactive way.
If you need a keynote for campus that helps answer questions like: How do I approach someone new? What do I say now? Should I shake hands or hug? or, Should I send a thank you note? – then Etiquette Essentials is here to help!
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- practical tips to feel comfortable and make others comfortable,
- how to interact in formal and informal situations such as job interviews, family dinners or first dates, and
- appropriate actions to take in specific situations that might not be clear.
Nailed It: Interview essentials
Thousands of recent graduates are on the job hunt. The anticipation of this critical life step can be paralyzing. The good news? The good old-fashioned social skills that mom taught could ultimately help land a job. The fact is, individuals who are capable of being comfortable and presenting themselves in the best possible light, will ultimately have a significant advantage.
USA Today reported that the average interviewer will determine your potential within three seconds! In other words, they can tell by looking at you if you will fit into their organization. Katherine Mason Young provides all the insights needed to accomplish this crucial next step in everyone’s life with confidence and ease.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- essential behaviors and information to increase their confidence,
- understand how to prepare for the workforce after graduation, and
- learn tips and tools to put their best foot forward in job interview settings.
Bring Your Best Selfie to Social Media
Social media – we are addicted, we can’t help it, and are doing nothing about it. Social media has not only influenced the way we connect socially, but it has also changed our buying habits, our self-image, and the way we see ourselves in the world. It has successfully integrated itself into our very beings, and in some cases has found ways to be destructive.
What if you could gain the perspective to engage in a positive way, take it for what it is, and not allow it to be the monster it can be? With the right tools, we can take the high road with this medium and use the platform to improve and promote a healthy life.
Studies reveal that over-exposure to social media can not only lead to depression, self-doubt, and physical illness, it can spark a host of other issues including poor school performance, lack of sleep, and even memory loss. Social expert Katherine Mason Young uses real-life examples and practical tips to help you make good choices, realign your perspectives and present your best ‘selfie’ online.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- Gain a greater perspective on the role social media plays in your life.
- Gain the knowledge, confidence, and restraint to present your best online self.
- Learn practical etiquette tips for successful virtual engagement – Do’s & Taboo’s
- Tips on how to make a great impression, overcoming the ‘comparing’ game.
- Social media and your career, manage content and stay out of trouble.
Mix it Up: Shake Off Your Awkward
Give your next social mixer, orientation or party the kick in the pants that it needs with Katherine Mason Young’s Mix it Up: Shake Off The Awkward! Swing dance? Latin Night? Get your groove on with easy, approachable dance lessons for your next event.
Dance is not only an excellent way to meet new people, it defuses those awkward social engagements with great music, activity and fun – all while learning a learn a new skill.
Why not change things up with a party that is sure to get them talking, laughing and well…dancing! Katherine will get your entire group to swing dance (Latin, folk or ballroom themes), and engage the most awkward crowds with ice breakers, tips to spark conversation and the music to keep the party rolling.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- a fun, social and excellent way to mix and mingle to meet new people
- easy dance steps to impress at the next wedding, gala or musical event
- an energetic, healthy way to bring activity and fun to your next social mixer
KATHERINE’S BLOGS
The following are past entries Katherine has written for the CAMPUSPEAK Speaker’s Voice Blog
