WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Students from area junior high/middle schools and high schools and area residents are invited to attend the 2014 Career/Job Fair set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in the Student Recreation Center at the corner of Garfield Avenue and West Trish Knight Street.
The event is being hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains and the South Central Career Center. Also joining the hosts will be representatives from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri State University Outreach in West Plains, the Missouri Career Center and several area employers, organizers said.
The free event will feature exhibits about the university’s degree and certificate programs, SCCC’s certificate programs, job opportunities at area businesses and social agencies needing volunteers, organizers said. Representatives from the Missouri State Outreach office will provide information about the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered locally, and a Missouri State University admissions representative will be on hand to assist students planning to transfer to the Springfield campus.
“Whether area residents are looking for jobs or simply wanting information about training for careers, the career/job fair will provide an opportunity for them to be better informed,” explained Alice Smith, coordinator of Missouri State-West Plains’ career services office.
The fair also will include “hands-on” career exploration activities at several booths, she added. “We are hoping visitors will see not only a broad scope of career possibilities through the businesses, educational programs and agencies represented, but also leave the fair with some personalized interest, skills, aptitude and/or personality assessments for career connections,” she explained.
Additional activities available to those attending will include internet research of current job openings in the state of Missouri by location, as well as projected jobs for the future, including educational requirements, average pay, etc., Smith said. Resource ideas for further career exploration also will be provided, she added.
Smith said several schools already have registered to attend, including Alton, Bakersfield, Doniphan, Gainesville, Glenwood, Howell Valley, Koshkonong, Norwood, Summersville, South Central Career Center, Van Buren and West Plains Middle School. Representatives of other area school districts who would like to register their groups can do so by contacting Smith at 417-255-7230 or AliceSmith@MissouriState.edu. Registration is not required for area residents wishing to attend.
For more information about the fair, contact Smith at 417-255-7230.