Griz Career Skills Program

griz-career-skills-logo.png

Career readiness starts now.  The Griz Career Skills (GCS) Career Readiness Program is designed to equip University of Montana students with career skills that will prepare them to achieve positive post-graduate outcomes.  This asynchronous program guides student through identifying, practicing, and reflecting on the career skills in highest demand among employers across industries including workplace excellence, communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and career and personal development.  In addition, participants will learn to articulate on a resume or interview how their skills and accomplishments relate to their career interests.   

Faculty who offer career or internship courses and staff who supervise students or manage other professional development programs are invited to incorporate GCS into their programs/courses as a tangible way to demonstrate the priority that UM places on career readiness and inclusive prosperity for all students.

Benefits to Students

  • Earn digital badges for their resumes and LinkedIn profiles.
  • Make progress at their own pace through this asynchronous program.
  • Gain confidence in the skills they’re gaining in and out of the classroom and learn how to effectively articulate them to future employers.

Benefits to Campus Employers

  • Attract applicants by adding this perk to your job descriptions.
  • Retain students by helping them see how their student employment is preparing them with transferable skills.
  • Save time developing a career and professional development program for your student employees.
  • Have more meaningful, developmental check-ins with your student employees.
  • Easy roll-out requiring minimal effort of supervisors.
  • Flexible to implement in a way that meets the goals and structure of your student employment program.

What to Expect 

The program is offered asynchronously through Moodle.  Each module offers a combination of videos, articles, reflective assignments, case studies, and tools to help students apply the principles learned to their current work activities.  

Students can earn a digital badge for completing each of the following modules (each requiring about 2 hours of work):  

In-person orientations will be held in September.  A virtual version of the content will be available year-round. 

Topics covered:  

  • ElevateU: Career Readiness at UM 
  • Overview of the Griz Career Skills Certificate Program 
  • Understanding the UM Career Skills 
  • Assessing Your Current Skills and Areas for Growth 
  • Tracking Accomplishments 

Topics covered: 

  • Your personal brand 
  • Identifying skills gaps 
  • Contributing to a positive work environment 

Topics covered: 

  • Effective communication at work 
  • Importance of non-verbal communication 
  • Practice interviewing or public speaking

Topics covered: 

  • Problem-solving and decision making 
  • Anticipating needs and prioritization 
  • Consider the big picture and implications for others 

Topics covered: 

  • Conflict management 
  • Leveraging strengths of self and others 
  • Effective collaboration and compromise 

Topics covered:  

  • Assessment of strengths 
  • Developing a career plan 
  • Building professional relationships 
  • Creating resumes, cover letters, and online profiles 

After completing the entire program, students receive a digital meta-badge of completion, as well as an invitation to celebrate their achievement. 

Sign Up Today!  

Do you want to incorporate the Griz Career Skills Certificate Program into your student workers’ training plan, a course, or other student program?  Submit the Faculty/Staff Registration Form.  

Questions? 

For questions or feedback regarding the Griz Career Skills program, please contact Stacy Ulery (stacy.ulery@umontana.edu) and/or Carol Evanger (carol.evanger@umontana.edu). 

Launch UM virtual tour.