Students looking for employment opportunities having trouble deciding their majors are invited to attend the Career & Major Exploration Fair Wednesday, Oct. 5. 

The event is designed to help Missouri Southern students make informed career choices by providing real-world information about a variety of careers. 

Around 50 vendors from the community are expected to be present, as well as representatives from different departments on campus to engage and interact with students. 

Nichole Brown, director of career services, encourages students to come introduce themselves to the business leaders in the community. 

“A lot of students don’t know about all of the employment opportunities available to them; this is a way for students to think outside of the box about jobs within their majors.”  

Con-way Trucking is one business that some students don’t consider as a possible future employer. 

However, Brown says Con-way has great positions all over the United States, and they offer a wide variety of positions.

During the fair, there will be many breakout sessions which allow students to learn skills to help them obtain quality jobs or choose majors. 

Brown hopes by offering the opportunity to meet potential employers and choose their areas of study, students will see the tie-in between specialized studies and careers available. 

“Employers value long-term employees and come to Southern looking for our best and brightest students,” Brown said. 

Lydia McGriff, sophomore elementary education major, has helped with career fairs in the past, and she’s impressed by the amount of work that goes into planning the event. 

“There’s a lot to do,” she said. “I helped create a lot of the handouts and plan events at the fair as well as setting up and taking down everything.” 

McGriff enjoys the experience of working with people in the business world. 

“It helped me prepare for when I interact with future employers,” she said.

Kelly Wilson, director of Advising, Counseling, and Testing Services, encourages students to come with an open mind, ask questions, and be curious. 

“Sometimes we walk around with tunnel vision and we don’t realize all the majors different industries hire,” she said.

The fair will be held on the third floor of Billingsly Student Center. Activities start at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day until 2 p.m.