Author Archive

Though the job outlook for soon-to-be graduates may be looking slim, there was a glimmer of hope for skeptical and concerned students last week at the career fair.

Dozens of employers surrounded the Fulkerson Center in hopes to recruit future employees, interns, or even just to provide more information about existing job opportunities.

The career fair is held as a part of Criminal Justice Week every year.

Sophomore Melissa Brundige, a nursing major, was browsing through the Fulkerson Center Thursday afternoon.

“Seeing what kinds of different jobs are hiring,” Brundige said. “I know that the Missouri Department of Corrections are hiring, I looked at that.”

Priscilla Mulak, a CS Specialist with the State of Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division, said the department hoped to provide more information for students about this particular field and was interested in recruiting interns.

She said they would accept psychology majors, students interested in social work, or any type of therapy degree.

“We do take education, also,” Mulak said.

Not only were businesses present at the fair, but colleges as well.

Brieanne Billie, the admissions and recruitment coordinator for UMKC, was looking for students interested in going to law school after graduation. Several students stopped by the booth to grab a pamphlet and talk to her about the possibility of attending.

“There have been a lot of students interested in law school,” Billie said.

Billie offered advice to students who are interested in attending.

“Study hard for the LSAT. Work hard to get good grades in a major that you really love,” she said.

Freshmen Kelly Armstrong and Kari Rapp decided to get a head start on their search for jobs by visiting Thursday’s career fair.

Armstrong, a nursing major, said she found several interesting booths.

Rapp—a Biology major—was surprised about the number of employers looking to hire.

“(And that) there’s this many businesses that are interested in finding college students,” she said.

Julie Case, an employment specialist at Heartland Health, offered positive feedback about the job outlook at Heartland.

“We generally always have several job openings available,” Case said. “These range from support services on up to higher level positions.”

Case said applicants are directed to Heartland’s website.

“We’ve had some interested parties, and we’re always happy to meet the students at Missouri Western.”

Only about a month into the spring semester, students—particularly seniors—are probably concerned about finding a job after graduation.

The spring career fair in the Fulkerson Center would be a great opportunity for those students to ease that concern and see what is out there.

The fair will take place March 4 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the Fulkerson Center and will feature businesses and employers such as AFLAC Benefits Coordinator, Altec Industries, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Heartland Regional Medical Center, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept., Worlds of Fun and several others.

Career Services Director Linda Garlinger encourages students students of all ages to attend.

“This is an excellent way to find out about companies, especially ones that are unfamiliar to you,” Garlinger said.

Kathy Kountz, the administrative assistant in the career development office, made the point that looking for jobs should not be a last-minute task, and that Thursday’s fair is for any and all students at Western—not just seniors who are suddenly concerned about their chances of finding a job.

“A lot of students wait until they graduate and then try to find a job,” Kountz said. “They should start early.”

The fair will provide opportunities for multiple situations.

“We hope they can look for part-time and full time—even summer—positions,” Kountz said. “Even just to go and network with employers just to get that experience.”
Students might even want to intern during the summer at World of Fun for HR, Marketing, PR, Security, Finance or Food Operations.

Garlinger provided some tips for those who are attending the fair: make a good impression; dress professionally, immediately make eye contact when introducing yourself to employers, be polite, enthusiastic and smile, communicate effectively with employers and different booths; listen carefully, show confidence, market yourself and bring a resume, and explore all career options; speak with employers you might not have considered before and gather and much information as possible about each field.

Garlinger added that prior to the career fair, it is a good idea to check the list of employers who will have booths set up Thursday, and research the ones they are interested in. This way, students can prepare a list of any questions they have about a potentially interesting employer.

“It’s a job to find a job, really,” Kountz said.