Welcome back!
The Missouri State University-West Plains Career Services Office offers a wealth of resources available to students on this webpage, but chances are you're here for one of a few things below.
- Schedule an Appointment
- Exploring careers and majors, mock interviews, help with your resume, assistance with transferring to another instituition to complete your degree, job search help, and so much more!
- Learn More About a Specific Job You're Interested In
- Job/Internship Search Help (Résumé, Cover Letter, LinkedIn, Networking)
- Interviewing Practice & Tips
- Access Handshake
Steps of Career Development
1. Assessment
There are several career inventories to help guide you in the process of choosing a career. These are NOT tests, nor will they predict what career field you should enter. Instead, they will assist in evaluating your strengths, interests, values, skills and personality style within the workplace and allow you to generate satisfying options for your career path. Complete a career assessment.
Ask yourself these questions
- In what type of environment would you like to work?
- How do I like to work with people?
- What are my strengths and skills? Discover careers that match your skills.
2. Explore Careers & Get Experience
Internship: An internship is the bridge between the classroom and your professional career— it offers you a chance to learn the skills and practice with the supervision of a more experienced professional. Completing one or more internships will increase your competitive edge. Learn more about internship opportunities.
Externship: Part job shadow, part informational interview, these one to three day site visits with employers can help you understand various work environments, corporate cultures and daily job tasks. This experiential learning opportunity super charges your major/career exploration.
Part-time Job On-Campus: Consider working in academics, the Library, Dining Services or program offices throughout campus. Campus contacts can serve as references for internships and professional employment after graduation. Review frequently asked questions about student employment.
Work Study: Options may also be available based on your financial aid package. Off-Campus - Many local retail stores, restaurants and non-profit organizations seek student employees each year. Learn more about the work-study program.
3. Explore Careers through Networking
Networking is about getting to know people and you are doing this every day as you chat with someone in line at the store or meet someone at a school event, or when you are visiting with a family friend.
Building your network is a valuable job search resource. To be successful at networking you must learn to form mutually beneficial relationships with others. Someday, you may be contacted as a networking connection for someone else.
The number one way to secure employment in today’s competitive market is through networking. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) estimates that 75–80% of available positions are never advertised but are filled through word-of-mouth or networking.