Miss Massachusetts Gabriela Taveras of Lawrence will be the keynote speaker at the NECC Networking Night.

Northern Essex Community College will hold its Fifth Annual Networking Night on Thursday, May 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Hartleb Technology Center on the Haverhill campus, 100 Elliott St.

Registration is required. The registration form can be completed online.

The keynote speaker will be Miss Massachusetts Gabriela Taveras of Lawrence. Come hear her discuss discuss building a professional brand, how to stand out in the job market, and advice on networking.

A former corporate recruiter, Tavares is a child of immigrants. She has overcome many adversities including surviving assault, growing up in poverty, losing a friend to gang violence, and having an incarcerated parent. She turned scars into stars and became the first black titleholder. She placed top five in the Miss America pageant. Now she uses her platform to inspire and encourage others.

Local employers as well as all Northern Essex students and alumni are invited to attend this free networking event. NECC’s Career Center together with NECC’s Alumni Relations are hosting the event.

This networking event gives students and alumni the opportunity to network with businesses for career advice, mentoring, and potential internships and job opportunities.

For employers, it is the opportunity to help students gain confidence in their networking and career-related skills. It is also a great venue for employers to connect with potential employees and interns.

Light refreshments will be served. A professional photographer will be available to take free professional headshots for LinkedIn profiles.

Ashley Moore, NECC’s director of academic, career and civic engagement, spoke with students during last year’s Networking Night.

The dress code is business casual. This is a business card only event. Resumes are not required.

NECC students and graduates will receive a gift for attending and a starter pack of business cards to help improve their networking skills.

NECC partners with all area Chambers of Commerce, including Amesbury, Newburyport, Haverhill, and Merrimack Valley. The corporate sponsor is once again Dietz and Lynch Capital.

There will be representatives from more than 80 companies from a variety of industries.

For more information, or sign language interpreting or access request (including food-related allergies), please contact Deb LaValley at 978-556-3875 or dlavalley@necc.mass.edu or Ashley Moore at 978-556-3946 or amoore@necc.mass.edu.