It's never too early to start thinking about internships!  Internships are work-based learning experiences that allow you to explore your personal and professional interests, try out different career options, and network with professionals. They can be paid or unpaid, full-or-part-time, and generally occur during academic semesters. You can also earn academic credit for completing an internship, but this is not required by the university.

Check out our internships page for more information!

Micro-Internships

UM has partnered with Parker Dewey to provide UM student with an awesome opportunity to help you jumpstart your professional career...Micro-Internships. Micro internships are the perfect solution for students looking to dip their toe into their career field of interest but don't have the time for a traditional internship. Micro-internships are short-term, paid, professional projects that are similar to tasks given to new hires or interns. 

Typically, micro-internships focus on one highly-specific project that will take roughly 5-40 hours of work. These projects are typically occur remotely but can also be offered on-site depending on the company. Students that participate in micro-internships through Parker Dewey are paid a fixed rate (at least $12/hour), and are given a timeline to complete their projects; typically over a two to four-week time period.

Field/lab work is crucial for many majors ion fields such as Science, Health, and Engineering. These experiences enable hands-on experimentation to enhance students’ understanding of complex scientific course material and developed critical skills you need once you leave the UM campus. They also foster observational, explorative, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. To find field or lab work opportunities the best way is to make connections with faculty working in your area of interest as they most likely are either personally working on research projects that require field/lab work or know of other professors who are. Below are some department pages that list career readiness opportunities.

• WA Franke College of Forestry and Conservation
• Institute for Tourism and Recreational Research
• Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit
• Anthropology

You can also check out your departments website or Handshake to look for different opportunities to gain this type of impactful experience.

Research opportunities are a great way to learn more about your career field of interest and gain experience to put on your resume or graduate school application. The best way to find research and creative scholarship opportunities in the UM community is to make connections with faculty working in your area of interest. Faculty are likely to share opportunities to work on their projects during courses or directly with students they think would be a good fit for the position. You can also connect with faculty to let them know you are interested in getting involved in research.

To learn more about research opportunities at the University of Montana visit our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Page.

At UM, student employment is a great way to gain practical career experience right here on campus. These part-time, paid positions are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to work in between your classes without leaving the university grounds. Whether you're assisting in administrative offices, making delicious food at the Food Zoo or other campus dining areas, or supporting campus events, these roles are available in a diverse array of UM departments and locations. Not only does student employment provide a great way to earn money, but they also equip you with valuable skills and experiences that are directly applicable to your future career. To explore and apply for available student employment opportunities, be sure to visit Handshake, UM’s go-to platform for student job listings.

Griz Career Skills Program

Kickstart your career journey with the Griz Career Skills Program. This program is designed to boost your abilities in the areas that are in the highest demand among employers across a variety of industries - professionalism, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork.  Not only will you master these skills, but we’ll also coach you on how to package and present your newfound talents for future careers in any field.   

Clinical experience is an umbrella term used to refer to both shadowing and direct patient care experience while in school. These experiences are critical for career development and for showing prospective grad schools that you have “tried out” the field you're interested in pursuing and are fully dedicated to your chosen career path. Clinicals are typically required by healthcare majors, however each major/school has its own requirements for what counts as a clinical experience. These requirements can usually be found on your department website or you can learn more by talking to your academic advisor.

Practicums are field experiences that allow you to observe and document how working professionals perform their job responsibilities. You will typically have limited participation in performing tasks under supervision by program professors and/or on-site staff.  

• Shadowing one or more assigned employees who will guide the on-site experience.
• Observing and associating practices in the field with theories and methods previously studied in class.
• Recording data or assisting with tasks as directed by on-site personnel.
• Completing practicum course assignments.

To learn more about practicum experiences and whether or not they are required for you major visit your department's website or talk with your academic advisor.

Student teaching, a capstone experience, marks an important milestone in the passage from student to professional educator. This practicum provides teacher candidates the opportunity to put into practice the skills learned during coursework and previous field experiences. The end results should be that the candidate gains opportunities to grow into an effective classroom teacher and that the students in the involved classroom benefit from the infusion of new ideas and strategies. The Office of Clinical Experiences secures classroom teachers and university supervisors to work with UM candidates during the student teaching semester.

To learn more about Student Teaching visit the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education, Student Teaching page.

Performances and shows are a great way for student in the College of Art (CAM) to gain relevant experience in their artistic filed. These experience allow them to practice their skills as well as bring their talents to their community. For more information about how you can get involved in performance and show opportunities visit the CAM website or talk with department faculty.

Independent study allows you to learn about a subject that isn't available at UM or about a topic you would like to explore in greater depth. essential you get to create your course, determine what you study, and then work one-on-one with a faculty member to earn academic credit. While most departments offer some type of independent study (typically offered as a class students must register for), students must submit a proposal form signed by their faculty advisor to their department. These can usually be found on your department's website.

Joining a student organization that aligns with your academic and professional pursuits offers you a significant opportunity to develop relevant career and networking skills that are crucial for your journey after graduation. These organizations provide a platform for hands-on experience through various projects, networking events, and leadership roles, which can mirror real-world job scenarios. As apart of a student organization or club, you can practice and enhance skills employers say are in high demand such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and project management in a controlled yet realistic setting. By being actively involved, students can translate their theoretical knowledge into practical expertise, making them more competitive and prepared for their future careers.

You can find student organizations that match your specific interests and academic needs on GrizHub!