Career Services offers opportunities to practice networking, interviewing, dressing for success

Sept. 10, 2020 | By Edidiong Idong-Bassey, communication assistant

A Northwest student makes a connection with an employer during the University's spring Career Day last March. Northwest's fall Career Day is Sept. 29, and it's one of a variety of opportunities offered by Career Services. (Photos by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University students have a chance to seek internship opportunities and network with prospective employees during the University’s annual fall Career Day this month – in addition to accessing a variety of other resources at Career Services throughout the year.

Employers and students of all levels and majors are invited to attend Career Day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse. Career Day connects students with internship and full-time employment opportunities in a variety of different employment sectors.

“Sometimes students think they have to be a junior or senior to attend Career Day and that’s definitely not the case,” Jill Brown, Northwest’s director of partnerships and placement, said. “We welcome all ages to attend Career Day because it’s a great way to network, start that conversation with anybody and build on it in future years.”

This fall, students and employers can register to participate in Career Day virtually or in-person. Brown advises students to send their résumés to Career Services before the career fair, so they get access to Zoom links for virtual sessions.

In addition, a virtual zone at the Hughes Fieldhouse will provide space for students to connect virtually at the venue, if needed. To register for the virtual Career Day, send your résumé to career@nwmissouri.edu by Friday, Sept. 25. View a list of attendees and additional tips related to virtual attendance by clicking here.

Career Services also offers Speed Networking and Mock Interview Day to help students practice their networking and interviewing skills.

While Career Day may be Career Services’ largest event each semester, the Northwest office offers several other opportunities for students to hone their networking, interviewing and career preparation.

Career Services hosts its fall Speed Networking event Tuesday, Sept 15. The event, which Career Services began in 2018, helps students practice their conversation skills and making a strong first impression in a fun, fast-paced setting. Sessions are 1-2 p.m., 2:30–3:30 p.m. and 4–5 p.m. on Zoom. Students and employers should register by clicking here so they can be placed in a Zoom breakout room to meet employers.

Career Services also offers Mock Interview Day from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Hughes Fieldhouse. Mock Interview Day helps students gain interviewing experience and feedback on their résumés during meetings with real employers. Interviews are 25 minutes and include five minutes for feedback. Students may sign up for Mock Interview Day by visiting Career Services on the first floor of the Administration Building and elect to do their interview in-person or via zoom, based on employer availability.

Career Services even helps Northwest students dress for success by offering attire for all types of career fields at its Career Closet. Opened in 2018 and located in North Complex, it provides clothing and accessories to Northwest students at no cost. Students may visit the Career Closet between 2 and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or make an appointment for other times.

In addition to the multitude of resources offered through Northwest Career Services, the University places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers. Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. Northwest also offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program. 

Upon graduating from Northwest, 96 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners secure employment or continue their education within six months of graduation, according to the most recent data. Zippia, a career website, names Northwest the best college in Missouri for getting a job.

For more information about the services and resources available through Northwest Career Services, call 660.562.1250 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/career.