Sara Lee, junior nursing major, (left) and Abby Baker, senior nursing major, (right) network with vendors during the fall Career Expo on Sept. 25, 2024, in The Howell W. Keeter Gymnasium.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks hosted 125 organizations during the fall Career Expo on Sept. 25, 2024, 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. This year’s expo is the first year to include mock interviews for students to give them confidence as they go out into the business world.

“I believe the students’ biggest takeaway was growing in confidence and knowledge of how to network,” said Jim Freeman, Vanek Center Director. “Each year the career expo is growing, now hosting around 400 students in the four hours the expo is open. Along with an increase in student participation, there has been a growth in organizations participating, now reaching its maximum capacity in our venue.”

Brian Casey, College of the Ozarks alumnus, networks with current students while representing his employer, Branson Bank.

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 resumé, 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 recent graduates.