EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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If so, Missouri State has a place for you.

With a campus community filled with diverse perspectives, voices and opinions, Missouri State is fulfilling its commitment to address the needs of a changing society.

ARE YOU READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? APPLY TODAY AND www.jobs.missouristate.edu

by Heather Noggle

Make A Contribution Today!

Springfield, MO— Let’s talk about technology and Springfield opportunities.

Ever heard of the Springfield Tech Council? Springfield’s good for building groups that bring people together, help them network, and then get things done. You can list some in your head, I’m sure. Thinking - MBA - Multicultural Business Association, formerly Minorities in Business. Missouri Association of Manufacturers, Association of Women in Communications, and One Million Cups, a group for Entrepreneurs. These last two are local chapters of national groups. Not necessarily related to technology, but definitely a good example of what Springfield offers.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Unite News Publication and it’s mission, please mail your gift to Unite, P.O. Box 1745, Springfield, MO 65801 or contact our office at (417) 864-7444.

“Let’s build a stronger community together.”

Back to the Springfield Tech Council. The tech council was formed in 2021 after a group of people from two other tech groupsMATA and IATP (we tech people love our acronyms) strategized and organized under the Tech Council model set formed by TECHNA (yes, another acronym). The tech council is a good example of one of those local chapters affiliated with a national group.

Members meet usually once a month, often at events held at the eFactory, — Lunch and Learns, networking, Happy Hours, serving people in technical careers and students who are studying in the field or aspiring to study in the field. There are also a couple of annual events, including a FREE tech conference each spring called STC Squared.

Springfield is a great land of non-profits, and the Tech Council is certainly one of those. Other tech-related non-profits in Springfield include Springfield Devs (software developers), Springfield Creatives, Springfield Women in Technology, a Splunk User Group, Google Developers Group, and many more.

- Samuel Knox Managing Editor

Interested in a full list? Contact the Springfield Tech Council at info@sgftechcouncil.com and ask! The group aims to be the umbrella of technology information to help point interested people into groups that can benefit them.

Tech is a great and growing field, and there’s something for everyone. There’s training available – at OTC and in other programs, so not just traditional four-year college programs. There are also many free courses online and some almost free courses.

You can learn to write software, work in cybersecurity, or add knowledge so that later you can interpret how you may want to shift your career. Our local community has high demand for IT Technicians and available training to help learn and apply those skills.

Are you a recent graduate from a high school with the option to take A+ courses from a community college?

Consider OTC where you can get some of that practical tech training in working with computers, systems and also in cybersecurity.

For more information you can contact the Springfield Tech Council with career and technical questions.

by Darline Mabins, UniteNews Contributing Writer

Springfield, MO—According to the Oxford dictionary, there are two definitions of the word diversity. The first is: “the state of being diverse; variety”. The second is: “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.”…hmm. So, if I interpret the definition correctly, wouldn’t the definition of diversity include ALL of us? If that’s the case, why does this word strike so much fear and anger in the hearts of so many people?

With just four weeks left in the 2023 legislative session, there are many controversial bills that are being reviewed and up for votes. The budget approval is one that many universities, schools, and nonprofit organizations are watching. There was a published article in the Missouri Times, where 150 Missouri Organizations signed and sent in a letter in opposition to the DEI language added to the Budget.

The language reads:

No funds shall be expended for staffing, vendors, consultants, or programs associated with “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion,” or “Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging,” or any other initiative which similarly promotes:

1) the preferential treatment of any individual or group of individuals based upon race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, national origin, or ancestry;

2) the concept that disparities are necessarily tied to oppression;

3) collec- tive guilt ideologies; 4) intersectional or divisive identity activism; or, 5) the limiting of freedom of conscience, thought, or speech. This does not prohibit the department from following federal and state employment and anti-discrimination laws.

If approved, this would be extremely problematic for many organizations that work to make our state and local community more equitable. Again, why ban Diversity? Why restrict Inclusion and Belonging? As human beings, we by definition are, in this world looking for a tribe, family, group, or organization to belong to. Acceptance and respect the things we strive for. So why ban diversity?

Outside of the dictionary definition, and in the simplest term, Diversity is all of us. It’s every man, woman and child that makes up our community. Diversity is not just one ethnic group or race. It’s not a few genders or religions. It isn’t a particular socioeconomic group. Every one of us makes up the diverse landscape that is our community. Our history, lived experiences, families, age, abilities/ disabilities, culture and so much more, makes us diverse. Shrinking the meaning of this word is a disservice to us all.

Stay connected and stay informed in our local, state, and federal proceedings. The future of our community, businesses and educational organizations depend on it. Remember, “We the People” is the Preamble of our constitution. We must take part in the discussion and decisions “in order to form a more perfect union, establish jus- tice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty…”

by Melesha Bailey, UniteNews Contributing Writer

Springfield, MO— May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma many experience. Mental health is at the forefront of today’s topics. As a result, many people are more open to discussing daily challenges from their struggles to maintain productive lives.

Black women face mental health challenges that go unnoticed. They hide them in an effortless way as they work to keep their struggle secret. They