Melissa Paulsen

Immediately after graduating from the University of Montana with my BFA in creative writing and minor in history, I started as a remote content creator intern for the Montana High Tech Business Alliance in Missoula. The Alliance is a nonpartisan business-driven nonprofit that helps tech companies create high-paying jobs in Montana and empowers Montanans to find pathways to rewarding tech careers. During my summer internship, I drafted articles highlighting key information and tips from some of the Alliance’s recent events as well as company features. I also enjoyed working on compiling the monthly newsletter and drafting text for MHTBA’s social media channels.

One month into my internship I was given a wonderful opportunity to move into a full-time position as Communications Coordinator, which is my current position. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to use my writing and the other soft skills I developed as an undergraduate at UM to help others. The internship taught me how crucial soft skills like strong communication and teamwork are in the world outside of college, and my background in the humanities helps me stay creative and adaptable when facing and growing from new challenges.

Melissa graduated from UM in 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a History minor.

Jade Taylor

Working as the head editor of The Oval Literary Magazine has left me with invaluable,
lifetime experience. Along with fellow members, I learned how to advocate for compelling
creative works, how to edit and design for the printed page; I learned to budget, promote and
lobby for The Oval itself. The experience not only improved my own writing and
communication skills, but will undoubtedly carry over into future career paths, as well. It was an
honor to be a part of such a fun and engaging group of students. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Jade graduated from UM in 2023 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. 

Lindsay Hause

Editorial Intern: Boiler House Press – Recovered Books Series

For the last two semesters, I have had the good fortune of being an editorial intern for Boiler House Press – Recovered Books Series. Boiler House Press is a UK-based publishing company, with the supervisor for the internship based here in Missoula. The work type is remote with a flexible schedule, which is very conducive for a full-time student, and primary responsibilities include text proofing/preparation and annotation suggestions, among other tasks. This series is particularly special because it focuses on finding forgotten and out-of-print books of exceptional merit, that have faded from the public eye and contemporary minds, and then re-publishing these texts to give readers and scholars of today the opportunity to enjoy and analyze them. This internship has been hugely beneficial to my personal growth, academic career, and intended field, giving me real-world experience in the realm of publishing, which will make me a much more competitive candidate for future jobs. Additionally, I find the series itself to be of great value to the community at large, as it gives people the opportunity to experience phenomenal texts that have been obscured and lost due to circumstance and time. This has been a truly exceptional experience that I recommend to any student looking to gain experience in editing, assist in bringing forgotten literature back to the public, and enjoy some excellent written works while doing so!

Communications Intern: UMAA – Community Lecture Series

My internship with the University of Montana’s Alumni Association was incredibly insightful and beneficial to me as both a student seeking to obtain more professional engagement and hands-on experience in my intended field of writing and communications, and as a community member concerned with our environment and future. The focus was working for the 24^th Annual Community Lecture Series, hosted by the Alumni Association and held in the spring of 2022, with the year’s series title being “Our Environment Matters.” I attended all 6 lectures and fielded audience questions for the project supervisor and lecturer, editing and combining the questions received online via Zoom and Facebook, in order to streamline the questionnaire portion and make it more manageable within the time constraints of the lecture time slot. This experience helped to hone my skills as a technical and professional writer, and in the area of both written and verbal communication. It improved my level of proficiency and efficiency in communications in a formal lecture setting, as well as my time-management and organizational skills. But what’s more is that it gave me an even greater understanding and appreciation of the importance of community, of clear and open communication, and of making space for the multitude of voices and perspectives that exist in the world.

Lindsay graduates with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 2024.