Missouri Association for Career Services

About MACS

(formerly MPA)

On July 27, 2005, Missouri Placement Association (MPA) became Missouri Association for Career Services (MACS) at the Missouri ACTE House of Delegates meeting.  The rationale for seeking a name change was that in the past, students were “placed” by a career professional and considered passive participants.  This approach did not serve the interests of the students and certainly did not empower students to learn how to manage their own careers.

Historically speaking, the placement model was abandoned in the 1980s, and in 1995, the College Placement Council (CPC) became the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the “placement office” became something more comparable to the career centers now seen on college and university campuses across the nation.

The purpose of MACS is to promote the development of creative career services to students enrolled in Missouri’s high schools, area career and technical schools, and colleges; to maintain and improve professional standards in the field of career services; and to unite professionals engaged in career services activities.