POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks hosted 124 organizations during the spring Career Expo on April 2, 2025, 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 Beachner Grain.

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.

“I think students need to identify their values, skills, and passions,” said Jim Freeman, director of the Vanek Center for Vocation & Callings. “They then learn and practice how to incorporate those into their stories through written and verbal means. The expo helps students practice stepping into awkward conversations and putting themselves out there for future interactions with organizations.” 

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. They offer two substantial programs: The GIFT+ class (Gathering Information for Transition) and the Vocation Trip. Both programs provide valuable insight into 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, 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 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 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.

The above press release is from the College of the Ozarks.