Arsenal Business Growth (ABG), a national sales outsourcing company, has found a strong partner in Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), where its Cape Girardeau operations are creating real-world opportunities for students to build career-ready skills and step into high-demand professions.
ABG provides outsourced sales teams for companies of all sizes ranging from small businesses to multi-million corporations, helping them reach new clients through customized outreach. From its SEMO-based office, ABG representatives make calls nationwide to generate leads, strengthen pipelines and grow revenue for their partners.
What started as a part-time pilot has grown into a thriving operation with 16 workstations and a steady stream of SEMO student interns. Many interns have transitioned into full-time employees, either remaining in Cape Girardeau or moving into ABG’s St. Louis operations. Today, out of roughly 70 employees company-wide, fewer than five were external hires, a testament to the strength of the internship-to-career pipeline.
To further expand these opportunities, ABG recently introduced its Accelerate Program, a structured pathway that helps student interns progress from part-time to full-time roles while earning pay, service credit and early access to company benefits. Through the program, students also gain exposure to ABG’s community partnerships with the St. Louis Blues and Gateway Grizzlies, which provide unique professional and networking experiences that build on the career foundation developed at SEMO.
“We’ll take students from any discipline,” said Justin Carey, Director of SEMO Operations at ABG. “I appreciate when students come from different backgrounds because it means they’re comfortable getting out of their comfort zones. This job has changed the way many of them speak, present themselves and approach challenges.”
Students who join ABG walk away with a powerful set of transferable skills including managing a sales pipeline, analyzing data, mastering enterprise software platforms and communicating effectively with executives at leading companies.
“It’s not just about sales,” Carey explained. “I want students to walk away with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, manage their time, build confidence and adapt to new technologies. These are skills that apply in every career and in everyday life.”
ABG has become a strong presence on campus, partnering with faculty in the Harrison College of Business and Computing to connect with students through class presentations, Greek life and the SEMO Career Expo.
Students interested in internship opportunities with ABG can learn more at arsenalbg.com.