College of the Ozarks hosts over 120 organizations during the spring Career Expo on April 1, 2026, in The Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks hosted over 120 organizations during the spring Career Expo on April 1, 2026, in The Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex. The Vanek Center for Vocation & Callings hosts this biannual event with the primary goal of providing an atmosphere where students can begin securing internships, employment, or graduate school admissions.  

The organizations in attendance included an array of employers and graduate schools located in the Ozarks region and beyond. 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. Some of the businesses in attendance included Sky Ranch, Big Cedar, Branson Bank, Silver Dollar City Theme Park, and CoxHealth.

The Career Expo follows the College’s vision to develop students who are well-educated, hardworking, and patriotic by encouraging students to network with companies and demonstrate the work ethic that has been instilled in them by College of the Ozarks. 

“One of the most rewarding aspects of the event is welcoming back our alumni who are successful in their own careers and engaging with current students about future opportunities,” said Candace Stark, director of the Vanek Center for Vocation & Callings.

The Career Expo provides an environment for students to practice conversing with potential employers or graduate schools.

“The career fair is very important in this part of my life because I’m getting ready to graduate,” said Kaitlyn Bowles, senior marketing major. “This is a great networking opportunity. I can give potential employers my resume, business card, and make connections before I leave C of O.”

Graham Wilhoit, sophomore business administration major, enjoys his time learning about different jobs and internships at the Career Expo.

Students also had opportunities to learn more about the greater mission and impact of organizations in the area.

“Something that’s really interesting about this career expo is being able to see all the opportunities in the Ozarks region,” said Graham Wilhoit, sophomore business administration major. “I grew up in this area, and I didn’t know half of these companies existed. It’s amazing to learn about so many outreach programs serving our community.”

“The Spring Career Expo was a tremendous success,” Stark said. “We were pleased to welcome several new organizations, alongside many returning partners who continue to invest in our students because they recognize the exceptional talent at C of O and the contributions our students bring to their teams. The valuable conversations that take place are rich with insight, encouragement, and perspective for those exploring internships and career paths.”

More about the College of the Ozarks Vanek Center for Vocation and Callings 

The 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. 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, connect with C of O alumni, and establish a networking system.

To keep up with the fast pace of technology, the Vanek Center has introduced a major online platform to its toolbox. Hiration is an online résumé, cover letter, and mock interview tool that uses AI technology to ensure the student's documents align perfectly with any desired job description. Both tools are free to students and recent graduates.  

More about the College of the Ozarks Vocational Pillar

The Vocational Pillar at College of the Ozarks aims to promote a strong work ethic encouraging the development of good character and values. In pursuance of this goal, the College’s Work Education Program allows full-time students to work 15 hours per week at an assigned campus workstation. These work hours offset the cost of tuition and give students a significant competitive edge in the workplace after they graduate.