Careers

On average, students who graduate from our MPA Program have a starting salary of $56,000. Seventy-seven percent of our graduates, who do not have employment while pursuing their degree, are employed within 6 months upon graduation. Notable alumni, include, but not limited to:

Local/State Communities

• Jen Zellmer-Cuersema, UM Athletics Advisor
• Shyra Scott, Missoula County Clerk & Recording
• Anne Hughes, Missoula County Communications Director
• Dayna Swanson, Office of Senator Tester
• Holly Luck, Office of Senators Melcher, Baucus, and Walsh

Tribal Communities

• Eldena Bear Don’t Walk, tribal judge, first female Chief Justice of the Crow Tribe
• Debra DuMontier, Office of Special Trustee for American Indians

Nonprofit/International Communities

• Deena Mansour, Associate Director of the Mansfield Center
• Jesse Mahugh, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County
• Aubrie Lyons, Director of Montana World Affairs Council

Below are internships and jobs available for MPA students. Please review this portion of our website regularly because it is updated often.

• PublicServiceCareers.org
  PublicServiceCareers.org is a widely used website for finding jobs and career advice for public service and public affairs students and professionals. 
  
  
• International Program Coordinator for the Mansfield Center (Missoula, MT) Two University of Montana positions available for fast-paced work requiring critical thinking skills to address multiple, varied logistics in support of international exchange activities. Full time with benefits. Deadline to apply is Dec 10, 2019. 
  
  
• Fiscal Analyst I or II for Legislative Fiscal Division of MT Legislative Branch (Helena, MT) Non-partisan position working directly with legislators and involved in the legislative process by researching, analyzing, summarizing and presenting a variety of data and other information. Full time with benefits, $60-$70k annual salary. Deadline to apply is Nov 29, 2019. 
  
  
• Grant Writer/Development Coordinator at Youth Homes (Missoula, MT) Work for a dynamic leader in the field of youth services. Full-time, salaried, open until filled. 
  
  
• Policy & Accreditation Support Specialist for Western Montana Mental Health Center (pdf) (Missoula, MT) This position is responsible for developing, maintaining, managing, coordinating, and supporting the accreditation, licensing, and policy and procedure functions.  
  
  
• Community Workforce Coordinator (Lewistown, MT) This position will bring together area employers, education, and community resources in creative and innovative ways to build a qualified and competitive workforce to support the community's economic growth and well-being. 
  
  
• Youth Homes Accreditation and Quality Assurance Coordinator (Missoula, MT) Youth Homes is a dynamic leader in the field of youth services. This position will work in coordination with leadership staff to develop, initiate, maintain, and revise policies for the general operation of the organization and its related activities to ensure compliance and quality care. Youth Homes offers a competitive salary and benefits. Open until filled. 
  
   
• Montana Outdoor Heritage Project Survey Canvass 2019
  • Field Organizer (pdf) Based in Missoula, MT with travel. 
    
    
• Boys & Girls Club of Missoula County
  • After School Program - Site Director (pdf)
  • After School Program - Assistant Site Director (pdf)
  • 2019-2020 Internships - multiple (pdf)
    
    
• Montana Conservation Voters (MCV) - Internships 
  
  
• Missoula Public Health, City-County Health Department - Health Promotion Prevention Division Internship (pdf)
  
• Internships at the Missoula Food Bank (pdf)
  
• Internship at DanceSafe (pdf)
  
• MT Budget/Legislative Intern