Archive for the ‘News’ Category

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.”

Imagine if your job held a regional awards ceremony, now imagine out of the thousands of people who do your job you are called up unexpectedly to receive the award, That is what happened to Missouri Western Senior Luke Akers.

The National Orientation Directors Association Region IV Student Leadership Award is reserved for the best of the best and that is why this year it was given to Akers.

The award was announced at the region IV conference in February. The region encompasses Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.

Along with the award Akers was given a plaque and a gift certificate for the Barnes and Nobles bookstore.

The core values NODA looks for are Community, Diversity, Integrity, Learning, Scholarship, Service.

Akers was one a handful of students nominated for this award from all over the region.

The decision to pick Akers was unanimous.

When Akers is not singing with his band Tequila Mockingbird, or working to get donations for the America’s Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph’s Backpack Buddies program, he is working in the admissions office doing orientation and registrations.

Akers started working for Kristin Neely, the new student experience coordinator, his sophomore year.

Two weeks after being hired Akers attended his first NODA conference.

When Akers got back from the conference he could not stop talking about the things he had learned and how to implement them.

Orientation and registration was revamped about two years ago so Akers had to come in and start from scratch.

Using what he had learned, Akers dove right in and along with Neely applied these changes to the department that helped it move from a two day process to a single day.

Akers was thankful to the school and Neely for his chance to get this award.

“Kristin and this school gave me this opportunity,” Akers said. “This school treats you like an adult.”

Akers also looks forward to the opportunities he will have after graduating.

“I can always get a job in orientation,” Akers said. “This is my passion.”

Neely nominated Akers for the award this year and she had good reason.

Even if he had not won, the nomination was a way for Neely to say thank you for all his hard work and dedication.

“I can sum Luke up in one word,” Neely said. “Inspiring.”

Neely describes Akers as the sort of person who would talk to an incoming freshman the same way he would talk to the president of the university.

“He is very humble,” Neely said. “When he heard he had won the gift certificate he decided he would get his mom a sweatshirt.”

Akers was so impressed by the conference that he lobbied for more students to be able to attend the conference this year, and he got his wish, two more students attended this year.

Tyson Schank the associate director of admissions was pleased to hear that Akers had been given this award.

“He is very deserving of it,” Schank said. “He has such great creativity.”

Kristin Weyman who is the awards committee chairperson admires that Akers has creativity, energy, enthusiasm and outstanding abilities.

“This award is designed to give special recognition to students,” Weyman said. “These are the backbone of successful and dynamic orientation programs.”

Akers job is usually performed by a staff of eight people, but he manages to get it done all by himself.