More than 250 students from five mid-Missouri colleges attended the recent first-ever mid-Mo small college career fair at Columbia College.
More than 80 employers were represented at the Southwell complex. The event was open to students and alumni from Columbia College, Fulton’s William Woods and Westminster, Marshall’s Missouri Valley College and Columbia’s Stephens College. Columbia College vice president Dr. Dave Roberts is impressed with the turnout:
“But we have a really strong, thriving small college experience here in mid-Missouri. And bringing these five colleges together was a really nice way to share resources, to work together,” Dr. Roberts says.
More than 80 employers ranging from the FBI to Central Bank to MFA participated in the career fair. 939 the Eagle News covered the fair and the turnout was so large it that there were waits at most booths. Each of the students from the five schools dressed professionally and had notebooks and resumes with them. Dr. Roberts tells 939 the Eagle he’s impressed with the professionalism and interest shown by Columbia College students and by students from the other four schools:
“We do a lot of work ahead of time to talk to the students about being a professional and what that means. And dressing professionally, looking the part, coming in here being prepared. Amanda Wooden who is our director of career services at Columbia College, does an amazing job of kind of lessons in trainings with students ahead of time on how to prepare and how to go talk to somebody at a table. It can be intimidating to go talk to an employer, especially if you’re a 20-year-old,” Dr. Roberts says.
The fair is part of Columbia College’s continued efforts to connect students and alums with employers in the region.