WEST PLAINS, Mo. – “A great success” is how organizers described this year’s career/job fair at Missouri State University-West Plains.
Held Sept. 27 in the Student Recreation Center on campus, the event was hosted by the Missouri State-West Plains career services and campus outreach office in partnership with the South Central Career Center (SCCC).
Over 600 area high school students and sponsors from 12 different school districts had the opportunity to learn about current and future job openings and volunteer opportunities, as well as complete career exploration activities, during the event. Those school districts included Alton, Houston, Southern Reynolds County in Ellington, Mansfield, Thayer, Koshkonong, Willow Springs, East Carter County in Ellsinore, Bakersfield, Norwood, West Plains High School and SCCC.
The students and other members of the community who attended the event visited with over 100 exhibitors from 60 different booths featuring programs offered by Missouri State-West Plains, Missouri State-Springfield, SCCC and local service and retail businesses, as well as those serving a global market, organizers said.
Among the educational exhibitors were the admissions, outreach and distance education offices and the Darr School of Agriculture from the Missouri State-Springfield campus. Admissions staff assisted students planning to transfer to the main campus, and officials from the outreach office provided information about bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered locally.
Representatives from Missouri State-West Plains’ admissions and financial aid offices provided information to potential students, as did representatives from the Missouri State-West Plains’ Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team, VESTA National Center of Excellence, College Parent Resource Center, and student life and development office. Faculty members from the business, accounting, entrepreneurship, agriculture, viticulture, enology, computer graphics and programming, general technology, child and family development, nursing, respiratory care, law enforcement and technology departments provided information regarding associate degrees available in those fields.
SCCC officials shared information about their certificate programs and displayed features and equipment from the surgery technician and robotics programs.
Thirty-eight exhibits featured information from area businesses and industries. Many of these exhibitors gave participants a chance to experience activities associated with a specific career choice, organizers said. “Visiting with real world business representatives provided a realistic experience of today’s business world for visitors,” they added.
Business and service agencies represented include Air Evac Lifeteam, Alternative Opportunities, American Republic Insurance Services, Anytime Fitness, the Avenue Theatre, East Towne Village, Heroes Coffee, Hatley’s Frozen Custard, Ozark Pizza Company, Howell County Sheriff’s Office, Howell-Oregon Electric Co-operative, Invensys, K-Kountry 95/AM 1290 The Gift, the United States Marines, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Maurices, McDonalds, Missouri Career Center Workforce Development, Missouri Career Center Veterans Employment, Missouri National Guard, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Ozark Academy of Cosmetology, Ozark Independent Living, Ozark Radio Network, Ozarks Medical Center, Ozarks Small Business Incubator, Parkway Beauty Academy, Penmac, Shoe Factory Lofts, Small Business and Technology Development Center, Three Rivers Hospice, TJ Portrait Designs, the United States Navy, Vocational Rehabilitation, West Plains Police Department and Wood & Huston Bank.
“The 2012 Career/Job Fair was a great success in providing a wonderful career opportunity for our young people, students and the general public,” said Alice Smith, coordinator of Missouri State-West Plains career services and campus outreach office. “The large number of participants resulted from the extra effort made possible by public schools, the university and area businesses. A sincere expression of thanks for caring about our young people is extended to area high school officials for bringing their students, officials at Missouri State University and South Central Career Center for presenting information about future educational opportunities, and to area business owners and representatives for providing a ‘real-life’ experience for current jobs and future career opportunities.”