Careers begin with a handshake, and students and alumni will have the opportunity to do just that at Southeast Missouri State University’s Spring Career Expo on Thursday, March 5, 2026. More than 130 employers will fill the Show Me Center with internship and job opportunities to give many students their first real interaction with potential employers.
The Spring Career Expo removes barriers between students and the workforce by bringing employers to campus, so students can explore internships, externships and full-time roles in one location. This year, employers from Turner Construction, Magnum Ice Cream, Mercy, The Bank of Missouri and the St. Louis County Police Department will be in attendance, many of whom already value and hire SEMO graduates.
“The SEMO Career Expo is the largest career event from St. Louis to Memphis,” said Dan Presson, assistant vice president for economic and workforce development at SEMO. “For our alumni and our current students, there is no substitute for these conversations. It’s the moment where all their preparation finally meets real opportunities.”
SEMO’s Career Services team works year-round to help students arrive ready to make an impression, offering resume writing and editing, interview preparation and career coaching leading up to the event. The expo encourages students to take initiative and begin building professional relationships that sometimes lead to job offers even before graduation.
Presson says the results speak for themselves. With a 97% successful outcomes rate, meaning graduates are employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation, SEMO continues to deliver workforce-ready professionals across industries.
“We want to see our students stay nearby and strengthen the region, but we also want to see students grow and succeed nationally under different employers,” said Presson. “An education at SEMO prepares graduates to compete, adapt, lead and thrive in a changing workforce.”
For employers, the Career Expo allows direct access to fearless Redhawk talent.
The Spring Career Expo will take place in the Show Me Center, Thursday, March 5, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and is open to all current students and alumni.