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
  • Tim Fox, Montana Attorney General

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, Executive 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
  • Mike Halligan, Executive Director of the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation

Below are jobs and internships 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.

  • Summer Positions with the Fund for the Public Interest (National) Currently hiring students to join summer campaign staff in over 25 cities across the country. Students will get the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in grassroots organizing, learn valuable communication skills and have the opportunity to participate in a variety of campaign actions including: running media events, coalition building, canvassing, and writing editorials, all while being paid as members of staff, typically earning an average of $6,000-8,000 over the summer.

  • Development Director for Montana Audubon (Helena, MT) Full-time staff whose primary responsibility is to coordinate all fund development activities, working with the Executive Director and the Development Committee to promote a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization. Salary commensurate with experience, benefits include vacation, simple IRA w/match, & health insurance. Open until filled.

  • Landlord Liaison for Homeword (Missoula, MT) Responsible for leading community-wide efforts to effectively market Missoula rental support programs to new and existing landlords and property managers with the goal of expanding the number of homes available to households with barriers impeding access to finding a home they can afford. Full-time with benefits, $17/hour. 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.  
     
  • Boys & Girls Club of Missoula County

Internships