Sarah Best, a service specialist for Ozark Dynacom and student at College of the Ozarks, was introduced to Ozark Dynacom through the fall 2022 Career Expo.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks hosted 120 organizations during the spring Career Expo on March 8, 2023, in the Howell W. Keeter Gymnasium. This annual event was created to connect students with employers and help students identify internships and obtain full-time career opportunities.

The Career Center successfully hosts an expo each semester. The primary goal of this event is to provide an atmosphere where employers and students can start a conversation and 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 Career Expo prepares students to easily transition from their studies to entering the workforce. This follows the College’s vision to develop students who are prepared for life outside the Gates of Opportunity.

“I want students to practice telling their stories confidently and understand their vocation and callings,” said Jim Freeman, Career Center director. “I hope students will gain confidence by entering into conversations with potential employers. Doing this now will better prepare them for future interactions with employers and will help them find the calling the Lord has for their lives.”

More about the College of the Ozarks Career Center

The Career Center desires to inspire students to understand their vocation and how to live it out in their various callings.  Each semester, the Career Center facilitates several vocational enriching 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 by visiting several company headquarters, connecting with C of O alums and establishing a networking system.

To keep up with the fast pace of technology, the Career 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 recent graduates.