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Career Center
McKinney Center
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
(660) 785-4353 
(660) 785-4366 (fax)
Open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday
careers@truman.edu

Programs

Let the Career Center customize one of their many programs to your class or organization's unique needs. Whether your goals are to make a major or career decision, prepare for an internship or job search, or go to graduate school - the Career Center's array of programming can assist you.  Please call the Career Center to schedule at least two weeks in advance.  (660) 785-4353

Success in Career Exploration Series
These sessions provide students with tools that will help them in understanding themselves, the World of Work, and how to find a major and/or career that will mesh with their interests and personality.

Career Center Tour

  • How much does a zookeeper make?

  • What can I do with a Foreign Language major?

  • How can I post my résumé or research employers

Answers to these questions can be found in the Career Center.  This interactive session provides students with a basic understanding of the services and resources of the Career Center.

(50 minutes)

Who Am I?

While it is important for students to find a major and/or career path that utilizes their skills, it is even more important to find a path that interests them and brings them satisfaction. The Career Center offers the Self-Directed Search (SDS), an interest inventory, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a personality assessment, both of which can be extremely helpful in finding career fulfillment. Cost: $6 per person, per instrument.

(Minimum of 90 minutes per instrument)

For those who would like an introduction to these instruments without incurring the cost, see Holland Party and Personality Craze under the Career Center "Buffet."

Success in the Job and Internship Search Series
These sessions provide student with tools to help them in their search for part-time, internship, and full-time employment.

Résumé and Cover Letter Clinic

  • Do I have to include every job I've ever had?

  • How long should my résumé be?

  • What should I include in my cover letter?

People don't get a great job just because they have a great résumé, but many individuals have missed out on great opportunities because they presented a weak résumé. Students will learn basic résumé and cover letter "do's" and "don'ts," as well as how to highlight their education, work experience, and accomplishments.

(50 minutes)

Ace the Interview

  • So, tell me about a time when you managed multiple projects successfully.

  • Share with me a time you failed.  How did you react?

  • So, your significant other wouldn't have a problem with all this travel?

Participants will learn how to deal with behavioral-based, difficult, and illegal questions during this interactive session. Students will be given the opportunity to actually practice answering interview questions, as well as how to develop questions to ask the employer and effective follow-up strategies.

(minimum 90 minutes)

Students wishing to further develop their interviewing skills may take advantage of one of the following mock interview programs:

  • Career Center student-led mock interviews

  • SCORE mock interviews with retired executives

  • Mock interviews with actual employers, the day prior to each Career Expo

  • Perfect Interview - a computer-based, interactive program

  • Phone mock interviews

Stop by the Career Center to learn more about any of these programs.

Dress for Success

Statistic: 92% of employers surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers report that they are influenced by the appearance of a job candidate. In this session, students will see examples of professional attire appropriate for interviewing; as time permits, the three levels of business casual dress are also covered.

(minimum 50 minutes)

Etiquette Dinner

  • They're taking me to dinner as part of my job interview. Does it matter what I order?

  • Help! Which glass is mine, and what is this fork for?

Many highly qualified candidates have lost the opportunity for their dream job because of a "dining debacle." Participants will receive instruction throughout a four-course meal as they learn how to navigate the myriad silverware, glasses, and courses that may be a part of the interview process. The Career Center has etiquette dinners each semester; for dates and times, stop by the Career Center.

 (Cost of meal, which can be partially offset by meal plan; 90 minutes; minimum of 15, maximum of 40 participants)

Advanced Networking Skills for Career Success

Networking is not a four-letter word - it's a necessary part of everyone's career. This hands-on program will help participants develop:

  • Presentation skills, including rules of introduction and self-introduction, and exchanging business cards

  • How to hold food and drink and still manage to shake hands

  • Networking in social/business settings

  • Professionalism with cell phones, e-mail and other issues that can derail a career

The Career Center offers Networking Skills sessions each semester; for dates and times, stop by the Career Center.

($2 per person to cover reception food; 90 minutes; minimum of 15, maximum of 40 participants)

Success in Graduate School Series

Graduate School Success

  • What universities offer graduate programs in my discipline?

  • How do I start writing my graduate admission essay?

  • What steps do I need to take to apply to graduate programs, and what is the timeline for those steps?

Participants will learn about the most useful tools to research and apply to graduate/professional school. Presented in the Career Center, the workshop includes hands-on introduction to our library resources.

(50 minutes)

Personal Statement Workshop

The statement of purpose is a key component of most graduate school application packets. Develop a strategy for writing this important document, and what services the Career Center offers to assist you.

(50 minutes)

Career Center "Buffet"
In response to your feedback and requests, the Career Center has developed a number of programs that you can mix and match to fit your needs and time frame.

Internships...Why, Where and How

  • Why should I consider interning?

  • How do I find out about internship opportunities?

  • How do I apply for internships?

  • What can I do to make myself competitive for an internship?

  • What should I expect from an internship experience?

Participants will learn the answers to these questions and become better equipped to find a truly valuable internship.

(30 minutes)

Networking Bingo

Networking is an important part of the job search, and this activity helps students begin the process of networking by engaging in a fun game. The importance of informational interviewing, and BulldogNet - Truman's alumni mentoring database - are discussed.

(20 minutes)

Motivate Skills Card Set

This guided activity helps students determine what skills they both like and are good at - their "motivated skills" - as well as their "burnout skills" by utilizing a card sorting game.

(50 minutes)

Values Auction

This fun activity utilizes an auction framework to help students determine what values are most important to them, and how to make sure those values are in harmony with their career choice.

(50 minutes)

Holland Party

This session utilizes a party setting to help students learn where their interests lie in the world of work, and what occupations are pursued by people with similar interests. This program serves as an introduction to the Self-Directed Search (SDS), which participants may wish to take subsequent to this session.

(20 minutes)

Personality Craze

This session utilizes a fun activity that helps students learn what personality typing is, and serves as an introduction to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which participants may wish to take subsequent to this session.

(30 minutes)

Career Expo Primer

Students learn what to do before, during, and after Career Expo to maximize their chances for success. Participants will also learn how to approach an employer, introduce themselves and shake hands.

(30 minutes)

eRecruiting 101

eRecruiting is the Career Center's web-based system for searching for on-campus, internship, and full-time jobs. Participants will learn how to maximize their use of this valuable resource through an interactive workshop.

(45 minutes)

Career Expo

More than 100 employers visit Truman each semester for Career Expo.  This event provides students with an excellent venue to learn about internship and full-time job opportunities and practice their networking skills.  Students can find out which employers will be attending an upcoming Career Expo by visiting the Career Center's website at http://career.truman.edu/careerexpo/.

Fall Career Expo: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Spring Career Expo: Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Grad School Week

Programming offered throughout this week provides students with sessions on how to get into highly competitive graduate programs, and how to write the personal statement.  Watch for posters with specific dates and times or see our calendar.

  • Grad School Week:  September