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Career and Life Design Center

 

Reach Your Career Goals

One of the biggest reasons you chose the University of Central Missouri is because you knew UCM would prepare you for your future. In fact, 97% of our graduates say their academic program prepared them for success. UCM also has a 96% first destination success rate, which means our graduates are either working, going to graduate school, serving in the military, or participating in a volunteer or service program. The Career and Life Design Center is an integral part of that preparation. Here you can explore internship and career opportunities, strengthen your job search skills and build important connections for your future. Whether you’re an alumni or a student on the Warrensburg or Lee’s Summit campus, the Career and Life Design Center at UCM is here for you—at no cost—throughout your life.

 

Students working with an instructor

Networking Opportunities

Interact with recruiters and our staff through W.I.S.E Hours, In-Person and Virtual Career Fairs, On Campus Interviews, Employer Information Sessions and Hall Tables, and more!  Download the Handshake app, create and update your Handshake profile to get personalized job recommendations, upload your resume, register and view upcoming career fairs, connect with employers to learn about company culture and their open roles, and finally apply to opportunities!  

Handshake

A student and counselor working together

Walk-In Studio Experience (W.I.S.E.)

The Walk-In Studio Experience is offered Monday - Thursday, 12:30pm - 4:30pm, Friday 9:00am - Noon.  Stop by to visit with our WISE Coaches for help with life design, job and internship search, applications (resumes, cover letters, etc, interviews, explore career options and more!  Drop in as often as you'd like, and stay for as long as you can!

W.I.S.E.

Handshake

Professional Clothing Studio

The Professional Clothing Studio gives students the opportunity to select professional and business casual clothing appropriate for job fairs, interviews, internships/practicums, networking, and class presentations.  This is a FREE service to all UCM students!  It is open Monday - Thursday 12:30pm - 4:30pm, Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm during the fall and spring semesters while classes are in session. 

Clothing Studio

Earn your Master's Degree at UCM!

About Us

Our vision: The Career and Life Design Center aspires to empower students and alumni with knowledge and connections that will lead to meaningful career and life experiences.   

Our mission: The mission of The Career and Life Design Center is to support students and alumni  through career readiness and life design to explore and build their career and life journeys.

Meet Our Staff

Upcoming Career Fairs and Networking Events

UCM Spring 2024 Jobs & Internships Fair

 Wednesday, February 7th, 2024
 Elliott Student Union Ballrooms
 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

UCM Spring 2024 Education Networking  & Interviewing Day

Tuesday, February 27th, 2024
UCM - Elliott Student Union
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

UCM Spring 2024 Nursing Hiring Fair - Lee's Summit Campus 

Monday, March 11th, 2024
UCM - Lee's Summit Campus 
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

UCM Spring 2024 All Majors Virtual Job & Internship Fair 

Wednesday, March 13th, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. 
(This event is for ALL majors)
Register through your Handshake Account

UCM Spring 2024 Communications & Digital Media Production Virtual Fair

Wednesday March 20th, 2024

9:30a.m.-12:00p.m.

(This event is for ALL majors)
Register through your Handshake Account

Career Readiness Course (Univ 3000)

The Career Readiness Course is a two credit hour online class designed to help you become career ready!  This course will provide assistance for students in building and preparing their personal career readiness plan through activities, assignments, and resources. The Career Readiness Course is offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.  You can enroll through MyCentral using course number Univ 3000.  

Life Design Course (Univ 3100)

The Life Design course is an 8 week one credit hour course. Course can be offered in-person or online dependent on enrollment. This course uses the design thinking framework to build confidence in students, from any major, to think like a designer about their college experience and life after UCM. Students will gain a process to solve problems (the complex, unstructured and unknown); how to get unstuck, adjust when things change, learn how to think of new ideas, and how to make intentional decisions to achieve goals. The Life Design course is offered in the Fall and Spring.  You can enroll through MyCentral using course number Univ 3100. 

The Mule Mindset Podcast

Whether you're feeling stuck in your career, seeking to enhance your work-life balance, or looking to ideate those next steps following graduation, The Mule Mindset Podcast is here to guide you. Join us as we explore the intersection of work and life, providing you with actionable insights and tools to help you design the life and career you've always envisioned. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, each episode of The Mule Mindset delves into the diverse facets of career and life design, offering practical advice on everything from defining your professional path and building a meaningful career to cultivating a balanced and thriving personal life.

Share Your Post-Graduation Plans

Each year the Career and Life Design Center produces an annual report that provides statistics and information on the successes of our graduates. Please take a moment to tell us about your plans post-graduation!

Post-Graduation Plans

Request a Presentation

When requesting a presentation, please keep in mind that we require at least one weeks notice from the date of the request.

Student Org/Classroom Presentation Request Form: Click Here 

Policies, Procedures & Disclaimers

 When you work with the Career and Life Design Center, you assume an obligation to abide by the policies and procedures set forth by the Office, as well as the rules and regulations prescribed by the University of Central Missouri.

Policies
Students have an obligation to know and follow the policies of the Career and Life Design Center.  These include but are not limited to the following:
1. Honesty in all endeavors is essential to the functions of the Career and Life Design Center.  Individuals found to have provided false or misleading information on Handshake account face disciplinary action by the University.  Falsifying information includes but is not limited to grade point average, graduation date, work experience, work authorization, etc.
2. Assaulting, striking, intimidating, or in any way threatening the well being of any of the Career and Life Design Center staff is strictly prohibited.
3. Destroying, vandalizing, stealing, or damaging the property of the Career and Life Design Center is strictly prohibited. 
4. Misuse of computing resources contained within the Career and Life Design Center is strictly prohibited.  All technology contained in the Career and Life Design Center are reserved for career-related use only (e.g., resume construction, Handshake account, career-related sites, employer research, etc.). 
5. The student is responsible for uploading a professional style resume to their Handshake account. If a student refuses to make recommended changes to their resume on their Handshake account, the student account will be blocked until an acceptable resume has been  uploaded and approved by a Career and Life Design Center staff member.

Procedures
Any student facing disciplinary action will receive notification of such action within five (5) business days of the act (level 1). After receipt of the email, the student has five (5) business days to schedule an appointment with the Assistant Director of the Career and Life Design Center (level 2).

If an appointment is not made, the student acknowledges acceptance of the disciplinary action.

At the meeting with the Assistant Director (level 2), if the matter is not resolved to both parties’ satisfaction, then a written statement should be submitted to the Director of the Career and Life Design Center within five (5) business days (level 3) and a meeting scheduled.  At this meeting (level 3), should the matter not be resolved to both party’s satisfaction, then the matter will be referred to the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research (level 4), should the matter still not be resolved it will be referred to the Provost (level 5).

At all levels the burden of proof as to the allegations of the complaint shall rest upon the student.  Any questions regarding the policies and procedures of the Center should be directed to a Career Advisor in the Career and Life Design Center.

In an effort to maintain positive relations between employers recruiting Central students, the Career and Life Design Center, and the University of Central Missouri, it is necessary for all patrons (students, alumni, etc.), as well as university staff members/students employed by the Career and Life Design Center, to maintain the highest level of professionalism and integrity when interacting with and providing information to these employers.

Disclaimer
General:
The Career and Life Design Center at the University of Central Missouri in its provision of services to students, alumni, and off-campus employers makes no representations or guarantees regarding the opportunities listed on its website, bulletin boards, print materials, and other resources, and is not responsible for the wages, safety, working conditions, or other aspects of off-campus employment. It is the responsibility of the students and alumni to take the necessary precautions when interviewing for and accepting part-time/full- time employment and participating in volunteer activities. In addition, the Career and Life Design Center has provided links to Internet websites that are maintained by third parties, over which the Career and Life Design Center has no control. The Board of Governors of the University of Central Missouri and the Career and Life Design Center are not responsible or liable for the content, products, services, or other materials on or made available through the web links to other websites. The opinions and views associated with the web sites are not necessarily those of UCM or the Career and Life Design Center.  UCM and the Career and Life Design Center shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any direct or indirect damage or loss caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, products, or services available on or through such sites.

The UCM Career and Life Design Center encourages and permits links to content published on the career services website. However, any linking should not (1) implicitly or explicitly suggest that UCM endorses any third party’s causes, ideas, website content, products, or services, or (2) use career services content for inappropriate commercial purposes. The Career and Life Design Center reserves the right to withdraw permission for any link. Please forward any concerns regarding links and/or disabled links to careers@ucmo.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):
UCM and the Career and Life Design Center adhere to applicable federal and state EEO laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines, and offer employment information without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship, or identity as a military veteran, unless legally required. Furthermore, in good faith, the Career and Life Design Center works only with those employers who subscribe to EEO guidelines. With regard to professional conduct of job seekers, employers and career centers throughout the recruiting process, the Career and Life Design Center abides by the principles set forth by the National
Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Handshake Disclaimer:
By agreeing to the Handshake terms and conditions when logging into your Handshake account, students and alumni and others who use the system are agreeing to allow their personal and professional information, e.g., name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, degree, etc., they provide, to be accessed by UCM's Career and Life Design Center and approved employers seeking candidates for full-time/internship/part-time positions and volunteer opportunities.

Third Party Recruiter Policy:
In accordance with the NACE principles, the practice of the Career and Life Design Center is to educate students regarding a wide variety of job search strategies, including third party employment services. Individuals can then determine whether utilizing these services will be of benefit to them. The Career and Life Design Center does not investigate, endorse, or recommend any third party employment services.

Conditions:
By participating in these services, organizations agree that they will adhere to applicable federal and state EEO laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines, as well as the appropriate principles set forth by NACE, in all recruiting activities; that no fee will be charged to any candidate at any time; and that organizations will not disclose resumes or other applicant information under any circumstances to other entities without the applicant’s prior written consent. The Career and Life Design Center reserves the right to discontinue services to students, alumni, and employers who have violated EEO and NACE guidelines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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