POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks hosted 123 organizations during the fall Career Expo on Sept. 15, 2023, in The Howell W. Keeter Gymnasium. The Vanek Center for Vocation & Callings hosts this biannual event with the primary goal of providing an atmosphere where employers and students can start a conversation, and students can begin securing an internship, employment, or graduate school admissions.
The organizations in attendance included an array of employers and graduate schools located in the Ozarks region. The organizations represent a large variety of employers presenting job opportunities to students of various interests. Organizations from the following areas of study attended: accounting, marketing, hospitality, nursing, engineering, agriculture, computer science, and numerous others.
The Career Expo provides a safe environment for students to practice conversing with potential employers or graduate schools. The event enables students to confidently share their story in future interviews or conversations with a company. This follows the College’s vision to develop students who are prepared for life outside the Gates of Opportunity.
“I think students need to identify their value, skills, and passions,” said Jim Freeman, Vanek Center director. “They then learn and practice how to incorporate those into their story through written and verbal means. The expo helps students practice stepping into awkward conversations and putting themselves out there for future interactions with organizations.”
More about the College of the Ozarks Vanek Center for Vocation and Callings
The Career Center, recently renamed Vanek Center for Vocation & Callings, desires to inspire students to understand their vocation and how to live it out in their various callings. The name changed to honor Dorothy Vanek, a Missouri native whose generosity, benevolent heart, lifelong service, and philanthropy continue to have a ripple effect. Each semester, the Vanek Center facilitates several vocational events. They offer two substantial programs: The GIFT+ class (Gathering Information For Transition) and the Vocation Trip. Both programs provide valuable insight on creating a resumé and a LinkedIn profile. The GIFT+ is designed for juniors and seniors to develop a personal mission statement and explore how the College Work Education Program has shaped them.
The Vocation Trip is an opportunity for upper-level students to take knowledge and understanding of their vocation, and explore practical ways to transition out of college. They visit several company headquarters, connecting with C of O alums and establishing a networking system.
To keep up with the fast pace of technology, the Vanek Center has introduced two major online platforms to its toolbox. Handshake, an online job board, allows students to find positions nationwide. It is a platform dedicated to college students, allowing them instant access to recruiters who are seeking graduates. Hiration is an online resume, cover letter, and mock interview tool that uses AI technology to ensure the student's documents align perfectly with the job description. Both of these tools are free to students and