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Table of Contents LIST OF CAREER EXPO EMPLOYERS ON PAGE 36
4 Job search 6 Careers 8 Coworking spaces 10 Fashion 12 Social media
14 Resumes 16 Workplace Networking 18 Tattoos 20-22 Advice from grads
Standard staff Advertising staff
Reporters/Photographers
Joel Grieshaber sales Mark Phillips sales Hailey Gilbreath sales
Claire Niebrugge senior sports reporter Layne Stracener senior reporter Alec Sahm videographer Connor Wilson reporter Carissa Alford reporter Terry Chapman reporter Afton Harper reporter Kathryn Dolan reporter Afton Harper reporter Reese Radmacher reporter Derek Shore reporter
Editorial staff Cortlynn Stark editor-in-chief Emily Cole news editor Nina Todea life editor Amanda Sullivan sports editor Kaitlyn Stratman photo editor Bill Sioholm digital editor
CAREER GUIDE 2019
is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper. The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by The Standard staff.
Cover design by James Hunter
Andrew Unferverth reporter Cole Sutton sports reporter Monica Blake sports reporter Sam Grus sports reporter Bailey Vassalli photographer Megan Burke reporter/photographer Bradley Balsters photographer Sarah Hollstrom copy editor
Professional staff Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King advertising manager
The Standard 901 S. National Avenue Springfield, MO 65897 417-836-5272 Standard@MissouriState.edu the-standard.org
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How easy is it to get a job after graduation, really? CARISSA ALFORD Staff Reporter @carissabalford Maroon robes hang on the shoulders of hundreds of students, tassels are turned to the other side of tastefully decorated graduation caps and diplomas have been received — finally. Graduation is over, but now what? College is meant to prepare students for finding a “real” job when classes are officially over, but it doesn’t always prove to be so clear cut. There are a lot of factors to consider and preparation involved in getting a dream job. Kelly Rapp, director of the Career Center at Missouri State, said the ease of finding jobs after graduation depends on the student’s major. “Business, computer science or information, finance, accounting — all of those fields are usually hiring,” Rapp said. Rapp also mentioned there will always be a need for more nurses. One of the ways Rapp said a student can get hired faster is to “market yourself.” “Employers like to see jobrelated experience, like an internship,” Rapp said. “Even if you had a job not directed to your major, you could gain good skills.” The Career Center will meet with students personally in order to help them explore particular jobs in their major. “What we do here is we individually meet with students, and they are able to talk to career specialists,” Rapp said. Rapp said other than interacting with the Career Center on campus, students can do their own research on their career field, starting with the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The United States Department of Labor has a website for the OOH. On it, you can find career informa-
tion on education, training, pay and career outlook for multiple occupations. The website was last updated in April 2018 and includes a Spanish translation tool. Candice Wolf, assistant director of alumni activities at Missouri State’s Alumni Center, said she did not know exactly what she wanted to do after she graduated from Drury University with a double major in environmental studies and religious studies. “I graduated, and I needed to find a job right away, so I started working at student affairs as an administrative assistant,” Wolf said. Wolf worked with student affairs for a few years, before turning to the MSU Alumni Association. While Wolf said she believes the job market is better now than it was when she graduated, she agrees with Rapp that any preparation students can do beforehand will greatly help them in the future. “Whether that’s internships or even an on campus job,” Wolf said. “(Get) some ‘soft skills,’ like how to respond to emails or network and communicate with people in a more professional way.” The Alumni Association has multiple programs to provide students opportunities to learn those skills that may not be specifically taught within their major. These events are held throughout the year, and students are able to sign up for the ones they feel they need to attend. “It’s a more casual way to practice life skills, rather than waiting until you graduate and thinking, ‘Oh, how do I talk to someone that is in a different life stage than I am?’” Wolf said. She said being able to be a good communicator and connect with people who are different opens up more job prospects. u See JOB SEARCH, page 24
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File Photo by NINA TODEA/THE STANDARD
The Career Center has services to help students.
What the MSU Career Center has to offer LAINEY SANDERS Staff Reporter The Missouri State University Career Center has many tools for students that can aid in their success. Whether it’s helping students find what path they want to take, what they can do with their major or going to a mock interview, the Career Center has resources ready for students to use. The Career Center has three main categories that they focus on: career planning, job search, and career events and programs. Each includes its own subcategories. Career planning includes the career development process that helps students figure out what career path would best suit them and what they can do with the major they choose. It also provides assistance in career counseling and job shadowing opportunities. The job search toolkit focuses on giving students several different interviewing options from mock interviews to interview etiquette for Skype and meal interviews. It also provides tips and rules for networking, professional and personal branding and creating a portfolio.
The Career Center also hosts a number of events and programs including career fairs, resume madness, mock interview day and much more. The Career Center has a goal in mind for anyone who uses their assistance and that’s to connect resources and people to prepare students for the next step on their career path. Mike Wood, the assistant director of career counseling said many people either don’t know what the Career Center does, or they have a misinformed idea. “A lot of students have the perception that we only work with students who will soon graduate,” Wood said. “However, we work with students from the moment they arrive on campus, throughout their time with us, and they have free access to our services as alumni. The earlier students connect with the Career Center, the better we can assist them to develop and meet their career goals.” Students and alumni interested in setting up an appointment with career resources specialists for assistance can call or stop by one of their two locations in Carrington Hall 309 or Glass Hall 276.
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SINJIN SANDERS/THE STANDARD
Jeff Adams works on editing his documentary in his coworking space in downtown Springfield. On most days it’s quiet and this was one of those days. There is no one in the office.
The office of the future? Maybe. SINJIN SANDERS Staff Reporter @SandersSinjin A new type of office space is gaining popularity in Springfield. Coworking spaces. The Harvard Business Review estimates that approximately 1.6 million Americans work in coworking spaces. In Springfield, there are five different spaces where a business can rent space. or even private offices. Businesses have the option to buy desk space, entire offices or conference rooms. By talking to the people that work and have memberships to these offices you gain a glimpse of what they are like. One artist using a coworking space is Jeff Adams, a video editor and documentary filmmaker with Two Tree NY. Adams, who is currently working on a documentary, rents office space in Originate Office Space in downtown Springfield. “There are some downsides and some benefits,” Adams said. One such benefit, Adams says, is the 24-hour accessibility. Adams splits his time between Springfield
and Brooklyn, New York, and said that the ability to step off the plane and go to the office is invaluable. One other benefit, he said, is the security. “I have a lot of expensive equipment, and I don't have to worry about any of it getting stolen,” Adams said. Jay Mihalevich and Mike Burkhart of VE Design Group, an architecture and design management firm whose main offices are in Willard, Missouri, said the added space is what they needed. “It has allowed us to expand as we need to,” Burkhart, president of VE Design Group, said. Burkhart also said it allows him and his project team to be closer to their project in Springfield. However, all three agree on the one big downside of coworking spaces: the noise. “Sometimes it gets a little noisey,” Mihalevich said. This is because of the nature of open offices. In these types of offices collaboration and talking to your coworkers is often encouraged. In an open office plan this could be a problem for u See COWORKING, page 24
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First impressions can make or break The do’s and don’ts of business professional attire REESE RADMACHER Staff Reporter @Reese_Radmacher When you receive a call from a potential employer inviting you to come in for an interview, the next step is preparation. One thing you should ask yourself during that time is: how can I make a good first impression? A key component is fine-tuning your overall look. Jenifer Roberts, assistant professor in the Merchandising and Fashion Design Department at Missouri State, said that once you make a bad impression, it takes a very long time to change that. Roberts teaches a pre-internship course every year that prepares students with reviewing resumes and cover letters, conducting practice interviews, learning about professional email and phone etiquette as well as appropriate dress. For men, Roberts said getting suits tailored to them where it may be oversized is crucial, along with making sure their shirt is pressed. “It doesn’t matter if you spend $100 on a suit or $1,200 on a suit,” Roberts said.”You need to make sure that it’s altered correctly.” Elizabeth Rozell, associate dean of the College of Business, said spending money on suits or other types of professional clothing is an investment, and that’s how you need to look at it. Roberts also advises men to shave properly beforehand, wear long socks and polished shoes. “You should always go dressed up to an interview,” Roberts said. “Never dressed down.” When it comes to women, how-
Graphic by KAITLYN STRATMAN/ THE STANDARD
ever, there are more things that should be taken into consideration such as makeup and accessories. To avoid the mistake of overaccessorizing, Roberts said she suggests never exceeding the power of 12 — two earrings are two, a necklace is three, three rings are seven and glasses are eight. Therefore, if the amount of accessories being worn exceeds 12, it is considered distracting and excessive. Roberts also said she advises women to keep their makeup light and their hair styled to a minimum — ideally remaining as natural as possible, with long hair pulled back. Bright fingernail polish and long nails should be avoided as well. Valerie Turner, a career resources specialist at MSU, said you cannot go wrong with a minimalistic look. “Too much of anything is going to be distracting and it’s going to
u See FASHION, page 28
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Spring cleaning your social media LAUREN SAIKO Staff Reporter @laurensaiko With new forms of social media constantly emerging, individuals are more connected than ever. However, this allows potential employers to see every single thing you’ve ever posted on your social media accounts. According to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey, 70 percent of employers use social media to look up potential employees. Amie Case, communication and design assistant in the Career Center at Missouri State, said why researching potential candidates online gives the employer a fuller picture of who they’re considering. “It’s a good way to get a good idea of who someone really is versus in a job interview,” Case said, adding that not everyone is 100 percent genuine during an interview. Awareness of your presence on social media is key because a potential employer may completely dismiss your application before ever interviewing you, depending on what they might find on your accounts. “If you post something, and you’re not really comfortable with some of the comments, delete them,” Case said. “Employers will associate that negativity or that opinion with you.” Holly Holladay, assistant professor in the Media, Journalism, and Film Department at Missouri State, said that even if you’re not actively searching for a job, it is always important to have a good presence on social media. “Think twice about anything you post — you can’t ever control the way your message is going to be received by an audience,” Holladay said. Many employees are looking online to gauge a potential employee’s professionalism, evaluate if a potential employee would fit well into their company, and learn more about the
File Graphic by THE STANDARD
candidate’s qualifications. Google yourself; you could be surprised at what comes up, Case said. Cleaning up your social media is never black and white, Holladay said, explaining that in this day and age many people do not want to work for an organization that isn’t aligned with who they perceive themselves to be. “There is this expectation that we have of people we end up wanting to work for — we want to be able to be ourselves and express ourselves,” Holladay said.
u See SOCIAL, page 26
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RESUME GUIDE Make your resume short, clear and all about you ANDREW UNVERFERTH Staff Reporter @unverferthandr1 As young people go into the job market, they’re sure to realize the importance of standing out among their competitors. One of the best ways to make sure you catch a prospective employer’s eye is by making yourself a polished resume. According to Career Center director Kelly Rapp, the first impressions that come from a resume are vital to the application process. “Employers spend an average of six seconds on a resume,” Rapp said. “That’s not very long, so your formatting has to be crisp and clear and grab their attention.” A guide to student resumes from the Career Center outlines some of that crisp formatting. Some of the basics include 11 to 12 point standard fonts, such as Times New Roman, black ink with no variations in color and a balance between the amount of text and white space on the page. Other formatting basics include the use of bold and italics for emphasis, the exclusion of references on the resume and the placement of contact information, followed by education and experience. Another big tip, according to junior psychology major and peer advisor at the Career Center Alyxandria Stewart, is to keep things original. Templates should be avoided, even though it might seem overwhelming to start from scratch. “We get a lot of people with templates,” Stewart said. “It’s best to start off with a blank document and just go from there.” One major formatting rule for students is to limit the resume to one page. This can seem difficult,
as many students might feel inclined to throw as much information about themselves as possible at the employer all at once. But those initial six seconds of attention they give a resume just doesn’t allow for everything. “Within that one page limit, you choose your words wisely to get the greatest impact,” Rapp said. This is the area where students who go to the Career Center for help seem to have the most trouble. “Students might have the content on the resumes and think they know what to include generally, but they need a little help just presenting it and selling themselves,” Rapp said. Presenting yourself can be difficult for students, but the Career Center has tips for actually writing your resume as well. “When describing job or other relevant work experiences,” Rapp said, “use bullet point action statements and get a verb that will capture the attention and talk about accomplishments.” Describing past experiences in an action-oriented way can make those bullet points clearer, shorter and more effective. But many students might be discouraged by what they think are irrelevant or unimportant prior experiences and accomplishments. That’s why it’s important to know that phrasing is everything on a resume. “Any experience can be turned in the positive,” Rapp said. “Show what you accomplished. Show the skills that employers are looking for like dedication, problem-solving, critical thinking skills, communication.” An example of this might be a student who was a server at a restaurant. They could change that phrasing to, as Rapp said, “Greeted 200 people a night and ensured they had a pleasant dining experience.” Get creative, keep things short and sweet, and know that the Career Center is available to make sure your resume is the best it can be.
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How to become a master at networking TINSLEY MERRIMAN Staff Reporter @MerrimanTinsley Networking is a useful tool for anyone who would like to get a leg up in the professional world. By networking, one can meet with professionals and gain an understanding about the field they want to enter, according to the Missouri State University Career Center. This will also help discover hidden opportunities that may pave the way for a future career. Just like any other skill, networking takes practice. Networking can be both in person and electronic. The Career Center portion of the MSU website gives valuable tips on what to do when meeting with professionals. “Making the initial contact can be uncomfortable, but can show a lot of confidence and genuine interest if done professionally,” the Career Center reports. “You will never have a second chance to make a first impression, so plan ahead and be courteous of their time.” The Career Center lists one of the first steps of networking as creating a web around oneself. By creating a wide networking web, you have available contacts for future employers to reference when considering you. The Career Center advises attending networking groups and conferences related to your desired career. This way, you will gain professional sources for later. Another major step of networking, according to the Career Center, is preparation. By having a plan on how to introduce yourself, it makes it easier to do so. This plan allows you to present your questions and strengths up front, instead of later. The Career Center calls this a “30-second commercial” style of pitching ideas. Sometimes, one’s network can lead to a new area of opportunities.
Meredith Fineman, founder of FinePoint, a company that helps develop leadership skills through public relations, talks about this in a report for the Harvard Business Review. When moving to a new area, Fineman suggests you should keep an eye out for people with similar goals and interests in your field. This is where the “30-second commercial” comes into play. By having a planned out introduction, it makes it easier to establish connections anywhere you go. A large number of employers also look at your social media before hiring you, according to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey. CareerBuilder found, in a survey consisting of 1,000 managers and human resource agents, that over half check up on future employees through social media. “Seven in ten employers (70 percent) use social networking sites to research job candidates during hiring process,” the survey findings report. Before applying for a job, you should look through your social media and see if you have anything that could be seen in a negative light. According to the Career Center, to establish a positive reputation, one must have a clean online presence. “The first rule in developing a positive, professional brand (aka reputation) is to clean up any ‘digital dirt,’ which includes profanity, inappropriate images, etc,” the Career Center reports. “Then, use social media to promote yourself as a professional and to network with others.” For more tips on how and why to network, you can visit the Career Center portion of the MSU website at www.careercenter.missouristate. edu. The website also provides resources such as the “30-second commercial” and a social media critique to help with creating a network.
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GRETA CROSS/THE STANDARD
John-Marc Merriman shows off one of his many tattoos. He can show them at one job, but not the other, so five are located on his upper arms so they are easily to cover.
Bikers, sailors... professionals? Tattoos becoming more common in professional fields as stigma lessens LAYNE STRACENER Senior Reporter @LayneStracener Before the ‘90s, it was mainly bikers, sailors and convicts that got tattoos. Since then, tattoos and piercings have become increasingly popular, even among people who work in professional fields. Four out of 10 U.S. adults ages 18 to 69 have at least one tattoo, and 19 percent are considering getting a tattoo, according to a 2017 Statista survey. Doug Phelps, a local tattoo artist at Little Tattoo, has been a tattoo artist for 14 years. He has also worked at tattoo shops in several different states. Many different types of people get tattoos, including doctors and lawyers. One reason for the change, Phelps said, is because reality TV shows have shown tattoos in a different light and erased some stigma behind them.
People with tattoos are often perceived to have negative personality characteristics, higher levels of promiscuity and lower levels of inhibition, competence and sociability. They are often seen as criminals or drug addicts, according to a study conducted by researchers Kristin Broussard and Helen Harton. Because most professional workplaces still prohibit tattoos, people in professional fields usually get tattoos that are covered by clothing. Of people with tattoos, 72 percent say they’re usually hidden from view, according to a Pew Research Center study. This number is consistent in all age groups. Phelps said he thinks people usually get tattoos that are easily hidden because there is still a stigma behind them. “Tattoos are becoming more accepted in the workplace, but it’s still got a decent ways to go,” Phelps said. “The only way that the
u See TATTOO, page 30
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Q&A with graduates GRETA CROSS | VANNA GUZMANSLATER @gretacrossphoto | @vannaslater The Standard reached out to people who graduated from Missouri State to discuss tips on securing a job after college. Kyle Gibson, 2018 graduate, Rebekah Sanders, 2016 graduate, and Abigail Mellovitz, 2018 graduate, share how they prepared for finding jobs in the workforce.
Interviewees: Kyle Gibson College Major: Business Marketing and Sales Missouri State Graduation Year: 2018 Current Occupation: Patterson Technology
Rebekah Sanders College Major: Accounting Missouri State Graduation Year: 2016 Current Occupation: Accountant
Abigail Mellovitz College Major: Graphic Design Missouri State Graduation Year: 2018 Current Occupation: Disney College Program
Photo submitted by Abigail Mellovitz
Abigail Mellovitz, who graduated in 2018, currently works for the Disney College Program.
Q: If you took part in an internship, how did you get your internship? Mellovitz: “Before the Disney
Program, I had a summer internship in 2017 with Griffin Concepts. Griffin Concepts is a marketing and design company that provides website design, brand identity, advertising and printing services. I got this internship through attending a BBB (Better Business Bureau) meeting, which is a monthly business networking meeting. It was more of a happy accident, my dad couldn't make the mandatory meeting so he volunteered me to fill in for him. I met Paul Griffin, owner of Griffin Concepts, found out my dad did business with him. He eventually offered to help with my
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22 | The Standard’s Career Guide • Spring 2019 portfolio which led to him offering me a one-on-one internship at his office in St. Louis for the summer of 2017.”
Q: What steps did you take after college to prepare you for your current job? Gibson: “Networking networking
networking...And, honestly applying anywhere and everywhere and getting a lucky break. It’s a tough and stressful process, but I kept asking peers and applying everywhere and finally landed a job!”
Sanders: “I began to study for the CPA exam.”
Mellovitz: “I applied every-
where, even to jobs I didn't see myself at. Even if they were just internships.”
Q: What are your top three networking strategies, and why?
community. You never know who you'll meet and or who they might know.”
Q: What is your #1 job finding tip, and why? Gibson: “Never give up and work hard. You will be told no a million times. Don’t get discouraged, someone will take a chance on you, and when they [do], it may not be your dream job, but it’s steps towards your dream job, and you work your butt off and climb the mountain where your ending goal is at the tippy top!” Sanders: “Research the com-
pany to insure that you are able to answer company specific question, and always dress professionally.”
Mellovitz: “Be open minded.
You never know what other opportunities may lie ahead that may or may not be where you had in mind. Don't let your little experience discourage you from applying.”
Gibson: “Taking the time talking
to people and networking ... LinkedIn is a wonderful site ... never being satisfied, you can always meet new people and growing your network is so, so key ... Take chances and taking the declines you get from companies and learning from them.”
Q: How have your goals or dreams shifted since graduating, what has impacted them the most, and do you see yourself as successful?
Sanders: “The only network-
Gibson: “My goals are the same,
ing I did was to put my resume on indeed, monster, careerbuilder and glassdoor.”
Mellovitz: “Developing thick
skin, getting used to harsh criticism because you're going to hear the word ‘no’ many of times. Communicating, actually contacting people you meet. Build your networking
however, they have shifted because this isn’t the job I saw myself at four years ago. However, I know it’s a start and I’m going to work extremely hard and work closer and closer to my ending goal. So I definitely see myself as successful but not satisfied or comfortable because once you’re satisfied and comfortable you stop pushing hard for that ending goal.”
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JOB SEARCH Continued from page 4
Similarly to Rapp, Wolf said getting a job lined up before graduation is possible, but it depends on the major. “There are plenty of career fields where there’s a high demand for jobs, and so an undergrad degree is all you need, and they will hire you before you graduate,” Wolf said. “But that’s not the case for every major.” Wolf said she does not want students to feel discouraged if they find
themselves about to graduate without the job they want. “I didn’t get a 3.9 GPA and double major to be an administrative assistant,” Wolf said. She said when job hunting, recent graduates should be flexible and know they may not get their dream job “right off the bat.” “Being flexible about where you want to live, and knowing that your job does not have to be your passion in life,” Wolf said.
COWORKING Continued from page 8
those who want less noise and more silence. In addition, it doesn’t help that the building is a historic one and has a quite echoey acoustic. Often, these coworking spaces come with amenities that help people get more work done. In the Originate Offices in downtown Springfield, this includes a kitchen, a breakroom, WiFi, printers, and professional private offices. This range of amenities is also shared by the other coworking offices in Springfield. All of these amenities come with a membership to the office space for $200 a month. According to a study published in the journal R & D Management, called “New in-house organizational spaces that support creativity and innovation: the co-working space,” coworking spaces and the collaboration that stems from that environment make employees and projects more creative and innovative. In addition, shared spaces allow people who work remotely from home feel less lonely and isolated. This is a problem as isolation and loneliness are the biggest complaints from people who work remotely, according to the Harvard Business Review.
SINJIN SANDERS/THE STANDARD
Jay Mihalivich (left) and Mike Burkhart (right) in their coworking space. With Burkhart being the President of VE Design Group. He says it is good to be close to his projects in Springfield.
According to the HBR, 83 percent of people working in coworking spaces felt less lonely and 79 percent of people expanded their social networks. Despite the noise, coworking spaces will continue to grow. The HBR forecasts that the number of people working in these spaces will go up to about 3.8 million in 2020. So needless to say, coworking spaces are here to stay.
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SOCIAL Continued from page 12
According to the CareerBuilder survey, of the 70 percent of employers who check social media, 25 percent have not hired an employee because of social media posts by a candidate bad-mouthing a previous company or fellow employee. “I think there are lots of good reasons to speak out against injustices related to employers or institutions, but you can’t control that that might mean that an employer is looking at your social media and making the decision not to hire you,” Holladay said. Holladay recommended some alternatives like increasing your privacy settings or making a “finsta”— a private second instagram account only close friends follow. Case said that in many cases, as long as you’re putting yourself in control of your digital footprint, employers checking could definitely be a benefit. “Seventy percent of employers
Employers using social networking sites look for: Information that supports their qualifications for the job — 58 percent If the candidate has a professional online persona — 50 percent What other people are posting about the candidate — 34 percent A reason not to hire the candidate — 22 percent
Infographic by NINA TODEA/ THE STANDARD
are looking at candidates social media platforms and if they like what they see that is going to help you,” Case said. “As long as you use it appropriately it can be a tremendous networking tool.”
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FASHION Continued from page 10
distract from your message,” Turner said. “If the employer can’t see you beyond all the makeup, jewelry and perfume, that’s not going to give a positive impression.” In regards to appropriate attire, Turner said people can remain authentic to themselves while maintaining a professional impression. Roberts agrees. “I’m not going to say you have to have a suit on because that’s a fallacy from years ago,” Roberts said. “But you do need to have on slacks that fit, a skirt that fits.” Roberts said open-toed shoes should never be worn, nor should high heels if the individual does not wear them frequently. Rozell said interview-appropriate attire varies from industry to industry. “The bottom line is you have to know the industry that you’re in
Colors and what they mean at a job interview: Black — Leadership Blue — Team Player Gray — Logical White — Organized Brown — Dependable Red — Power Green, Yellow, Orange and Purple — Creative Compiled from the 2013 Business Insider article, “THE BEST AND WORST COLORS TO WEAR TO A JOB INTERVIEW”
and know the culture of the industry,” Rozell said. “Then, when you interview somewhere, you should have done enough research on the company so that you understand the company’s culture, as well relative to dress.”
mdc.mo.gov/about-us/careers
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TATTOO Continued from page 18
rules will change is when younger generations who are heavily tattooed and pierced become CEOs and change the standards.” Tattoos are more common among younger Americans. 47 percent of millenials and 36 percent of people belonging to Generation X have a tattoo compared to 13 percent of Baby Boomers, according to a 2016 Harris poll. John-Marc Merriman, a building supply salesman at Alside Supply Center and an outside services representative at Top of the Rock Golf Course, has five tattoos on his arm and one on his calf. Merriman is supposed to cover up his tattoos at Top of the Rock Golf Course. He said he thinks this is because corporate wants the golf course to keep its elite image. However, he doesn’t always follow the rules, and his boss occasionally reminds him to cover
his tattoos. “It’s not to be defiant, but it’s too hot in the middle of the summer to wear pants and long sleeves,” Merriman said. “I’ve had a lot of people on the driving range ask about and compliment my tattoos, and it starts a conversation. Nobody has ever been offended by them.” Tattoos and piercings have always been allowed at Alside Supply Center. Jody Gale, the manager, said it isn’t a problem to him unless they are face or neck tattoos, they are vulgar or the piercings are excessive or distracting. One employee at Alside Supply Center has two full sleeves, and employees at corporate also have tattoos. Gale said in the 20 years he has worked there, only one customer has been offended by an employee’s tattoos. “As long as you work hard, I don’t have a problem with it,” Gale said. “Tattoos just have a bad connotation. But, I think society has accepted them more, and people don’t see it like that as much now.”
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Missouri State University Career Expo and Education Career Fair Noon to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 Springfield Expo Center 635 E. St. Louis St. Participating employers Abacus CPAs, LLC ABEC, Inc. Abstrakt Marketing Group ALDI, Inc. American National Insurance Co. Americo Life, Inc. Arc of the Ozarks ArcBest Arvest Bank Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI) Bass Pro Shops Bear Trap Ranch Bluegreen Vacations Bolivar R-I School District Branson Public Schools Buckeye International, Inc. Buckle, Inc. Burrell Behavioral Health BWI Companies, Inc. C.H. Robinson Camdenton R-III Carthage R-IX School District Central Bank of the Ozarks Central Care Cancer Center Chaddock Cintas Corporation Citizens Memorial Healthcare (CMH) City of Overland Park, KS (Police Department) City of Springfield, MO City Utilities City Year Clayco Clever R-V School District CNH Industrial Reman Columbia College - Springfield Commerce Bank Compass Health CoxHealth Systems Crane R-III School District CRB Builders LLC Cushman Wakefield Dallas County R-I School District Dell Department of Social Services Children’s Division Derby USD 260 Dillard’s, Inc. Emerson
The Standard’s Career Guide 2019 | 37 Evangel University Expedia Group Federal Bureau of Investigations FBI Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City FedEx Ferguson Enterprises Inc Flintco, LLC Fort Zumwalt R-II School District Freightquote GBA Builders GEICO GFI Digital Inc Good Samaritan Boys Ranch Great Circle Great Southern Bank Greene County Guaranty Bank Health Systems, Inc. Hershey Company Holiday Inn Club Vacations Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc. Illinois Tool Works Electronic Assembly Equipment Independent Stave Co., Inc. Inside Ventures Insight Global, Inc. Jefferson County Public Schools JMARK Business Solutions, Inc. Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Karmak, Inc. KCI Construction Company, Inc. KeyBank Kirberg Company Knob Noster R-VIII Public Schools Kohl’s Department Stores Lebanon R-III School District Lee’s Summit School District Leggett & Platt, Inc. Liberty Public Schools Littleton Elementary School District #65 LogoNation MAF McCarthy Building Companies Inc. Mediacom Communications Company Medix Menards Mercy Midwest Family Broadcasting Group Midwest Regional Bank Mihlfeld & Associates, Inc.
38 | The Standard’s Career Guide • Spring 2019 Miller County R-III School District Miller R-II School District Missouri Department of Agriculture Missouri Department of Conservation Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Missouri Division of Youth Services Missouri State Auditor’s Office Missouri State Highway Patrol Missouri State University Missouri State University College of Education Missouri State University College of Business Graduate Programs Missouri University of Science and Technology Modine Manufacturing Company MODOT - Missouri Department of Transportation Monett R-I School District Mountain Grove R-III School District Mutual of Omaha Insurance CO. Neosho R-V School District Nixa Public Schools Northwestern Mutual - Springfield MO Northwestern Mutual Financial Network O’Reilly Auto Parts Old Missouri Bank Olsson Omaha Public Schools Orchard Farm R-V Ozarks Public Television & KSMU Ozarks Regional YMCA of Springfield PaperWise Park Hill School District Pattonville R-III School District Penmac Staffing Services Penske Truck Leasing Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Plato R-V School District Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc. PRIME Inc. Raytown C-2 School District Red Monkey Foods Reeds Springs R-IV School District Regal Beloit Corporation Rockhurst University Rockwood R-VI School District Roeslein & Associates, Inc. ROLLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Ryan Lawn and Tree Sarcoxie R-II School District
The Standard’s Career Guide 2019 | 39 Save-A-Lot Schreiber Foods Inc. Senior Benefit Services SGI Specialty Granules Shelter Insurance Companies Shelterwood Academy Sherwin-Williams Company SI Precast Smithville R-II School District Spring Hill USD 230 Springfield Catholic Schools Springfield Police Department Springfield R-XII School District (Springfield Public Schools) SRC Holdings Corporation SSM Health Care St. Joseph School District Starlight Theatre Steel Tech of the Ozarks SummitMedia - KTTS-FM / KSGF / KSPW / KRVI Swank Motion Pictures Synergy Wealth Solutions The Weitz Company Thrivent Financial Tower Loan TruGreen Tulsa Police Department Unigroup Union Public Schools United States Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District University of Arkansas - Masters of Science in Operations Management University of Arkansas Global Campus University of Missouri - Columbia University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) School of Law University of Missouri - St. Louis University of Missouri School of Law US Medical Center for Federal Prisoners USA Mortgage/DAS Acquisition Vivint Smart Home Walgreens Waynesville R-VI School District Wentzville R-IV School District Whitaker Publishing / 417 Magazine Wichita Public Schools (USD259) Wichita State University Graduate School Williams-Keepers, LLC Woods Supermarket Wyndham Vacation Ownership Yellowstone Theological Institute YouthWorks YRC
40 | The Standard’s Career Guide • Spring 2019