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UM Experiential Learning and Career Success

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UM Experiential Learning and Career Success

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Here to prepare you for life after college by setting you up with tools & experience while you’re here.

The University of Montana (UM) sits in the heart of Missoula, Montana, a city well-known for having high levels of social capital and civic engagement opportunities. UM is an integral part of the community on many fronts, and we are proud of the long-standing tradition of student and faculty civic engagement in partnership with local nonprofit organizations, city government, and private businesses to address issues of public concern at the local level and beyond. Many colleges and universities across the country recognize that higher education institutions must make democracy and civic responsibility a central aspect of higher learning (AAC&U). This value is documented in mission statements and strategic plans. In part, The University of Montana’s mission is to “educate competent and humane professionals and informed, ethical, and engaged citizens of local and global communities; and provide basic and applied research, technology transfer, cultural outreach, and service benefiting the local community, region, State, nation and the world”. In support of this mission, and to galvanize skills for effective community engagement, the Office for Civic Engagement offers various programs to build civic competencies among students.

10/28/2026

If you’re pursuing careers in the arts, general job boards may not always show the opportunities most relevant to your goals.

That’s why industry-specific job boards can make a huge difference.

Specialized arts and media job boards can help you find:
🎨 Creative internships
🎬 Film & production opportunities
📸 Photography and design roles
📰 Journalism positions
📣 Marketing & communications jobs
🎭 Arts administration opportunities

Career paths in creative industries often require searching in more targeted spaces — and that’s completely normal.

Your career goals deserve resources designed for your field.

Visit our website to explore more industry-specific job boards and career resources.

Save this post for your future job search.

10/27/2026

Don’t let your resume give employers a fright! This Halloween, we’re calling out three spooky mistakes to avoid when crafting your resume:

🪦 Graveyard of Typos
Spelling and grammar errors can haunt your chances—proofread carefully!
Spelling or grammar errors suggest a lack of attention to detail and professionalism. Employers want to trust that you’ll produce accurate, polished work—so always proofread (and then proofread again).

🕸️ Cobwebbed Formatting
Cluttered layouts or inconsistent fonts make your resume hard to read. Keep it clean + professional. A cluttered or inconsistent layout makes it hard for recruiters to scan your experience quickly. Clean, consistent formatting helps your strengths stand out and makes your resume look polished at first glance.

🧟 Zombie Buzzwords
Overused, vague words like “hardworking” or “team player” won’t bring your resume to life. Show your impact with strong action verbs + results.
Overused phrases like “hardworking” or “team player” don’t tell employers what you’ve actually accomplished. Strong action verbs + measurable results show the real impact you’ve made.

💼✨ Keep these mistakes out of your resume, and you’ll be ready to impress—not spook—employers!

10/26/2026

An independent study can be more than just another class—it can be a chance to build experience that directly supports your future career.

By working one-on-one with a faculty member, you can explore a topic you care about, take on a real-world project, build specialized skills, and create work you may be able to add to your resume or portfolio.

Independent studies can also help you strengthen career-ready skills like:

🗣️Communication
💻Project management
🔬Research and analysis
❓Problem-solving
📍Initiative and self-direction

The best part? You can often shape the experience around your own interests and career goals.

If there’s a subject, project, or career path you want to explore more deeply, consider talking with a faculty member about whether an independent study could be a good fit.

Your next career-building experience might already be waiting in the classroom.

10/23/2026

Study Parks in the Parks!

If you’re passionate about tourism, recreation, or parks management, why stay in the classroom when you can learn surrounded by mountains, forests, and wildlife?

Through the National Student Exchange (NSE), you can study at universities near iconic National Parks, like Arches, Yosemite, or the Grand Canyon, and gain hands-on experience managing the natural spaces that inspire millions every year.

With NSE, you can:
👉 Learn from experts in outdoor recreation and conservation
👉 Explore real-world case studies in sustainable tourism
👉 Turn your love for nature into a meaningful career protecting it

Trade textbooks for trailheads and lectures for lookout points...your next classroom could be a National Park!

Learn more about how you can take your studies off the beaten path with

10/22/2026

Meredith Boos graduated from UM in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology. While here, she found her passion and gained the confidence to pursue her PhD through experiential learning. Today she is working toward her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Meredith took control of her career journey by purposefully getting involved on campus. She participated in a wide range of programs, each one teaching her something new.
🌲 The Freshman Wilderness Experience pushed Meredith out of her comfort zone before school even started and set the precedent for how she wanted to approach her time at UM.
📚 The Davidson Honors College challenged Meredith academically and gave her the opportunity to explore topics outside of her field.
⛳ Women’s Golf: Balancing academics and athletics taught Meredith to be intentional with her learning.

Then opportunity struck! While casually responding to research-help ads, Meredith applied to the Wildlife Society without realizing how much it would shape her future. Through that experience, she discovered her passion for solving conservation problems with real, measurable solutions, ultimately setting her on the path toward a Ph.D.

But how does this help you?
Meredith focused her energy on experiences that excited her. Along the way, she built connections, discovered new interests, and explored different ways of learning, doing, and thinking. Those experiences helped her grow as a person and feel confident about her post-college path.

Want to feel career-ready after college and find your path? Read Meredith's full article on our website for tips and tricks, or connect with a career counselor at ELCS to explore your interests, identify opportunities, and find resources that can help you take your next step.

https://careerhub.umt.edu/blog/2026/10/05/built-on-passion-how-a-um-graduate-accidentally-paved-her-path-to-a-phd/

10/21/2026

Think a Microbiology degree only leads to a life behind a microscope?

Actually, the world is much bigger when you’re looking at it from a microbial level! For Microbiology majors, your degree is essentially a toolkit to solve some of the planet’s most "invisible" challenges—from stopping the next pandemic to creating sustainable fuel. 🌍✨

Whether you’re fascinated by the human microbiome or want to protect our food systems, a massive world of opportunity is waiting for you.

Your degree isn't just about the lab—it's about making a tangible impact on global health and sustainability.

Swipe through to see what careers you could pursue!

10/16/2026

Stuff the Bus is back—and we need YOU to help us CAN the Cats!

On November 14, from 10 AM to 2 PM, volunteers will team up at grocery stores across Missoula to collect food & funds, cheer on shoppers, and pack buses full of donations for the Missoula Food Bank & Community Center.

Last year, we killed those Cats...don't let our winning streak slip and help us keep that trophy where it belongs! Every can, every dollar helps nourish 1 in 5 people in Missoula County.

Grab some friends, sign up as a team, and show up big for our community AND the Griz!

👉 Sign up to make a difference - link in bio!

10/15/2026

The countdown is on for the Healthcare Professions Career Fair, and you don’t want to miss it!

Ready to launch your career in healthcare and connect with employers making a real difference in their communities? From hospitals and clinics to nonprofits and culturally based organizations, this fair is your chance to explore meaningful career paths and meet the people who are shaping the future of health and wellness.

🗓️ When: Monday, October 19, 2025 | 12–3PM
📍 Where: University Center, 3rd Floor (300 Rms)

Whether your dream is to be a nurse, doctor, public health advocate, therapist, or healthcare innovator, this is your opportunity to take the next step toward becoming a healthcare hero.

10/14/2026

What could you do with a little more time and a lot fewer distractions?

Bricking your phone isn’t just about spending less time scrolling... it’s about making more time for experiences that move you forward.

Use that time to complete a micro-internship through Parker Dewey, explore a career in a Forage job simulation, prep for your next interview with Big Interview, or step away from the screen entirely and give back to your community through VolunteerUM.

A little distraction-free time today could become a new skill, experience, connection, or resume line tomorrow.

Be Here. Brick your phone. Build your future.

Address

32 Campus Drive, Aber Hall 2nd Floor
Missoula, MT
59812

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14062432022

Website

http://umt.edu/elcs

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