College is an exciting chapter filled with new opportunities and growth, but navigating your career path can feel overwhelming at times. It’s natural to wonder how your classes, internships, and campus jobs will shape your future.
At the University of Montana, we’re committed to guiding you through this journey with our holistic approach we call the Montana Way. Built on pillars of career readiness, a life of meaning and wellbeing, and service to others, the Montana Way ensures your UM experience prepares you for success in every part of your life—both personally and professionally.
At Experiential Learning and Career Success (ELCS), we’re proud to put the Montana Way into action—helping you connect your education with meaningful career opportunities. By combining our supportive guidance with innovative AI tools, we empower you to take charge of your future, discover unique jobs that match your strengths, and build a career you’ll truly enjoy right from your first days on campus.
Scroll below to learn how ELCS uses AI tools to help you on your career journey:
The Role of AI in Personalizing Your Career Journey
Finding the right job starts with recognizing how your strengths, interests, and experiences intersect. That’s where ELCS’s innovative AI resource comes in. Thoughtfully designed for UM students, this tool doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach—instead, it really gets to know you by looking at your classes, resume, and assessment results.
You don't need to be a tech expert to make these tools work for you. Worden (26), a UM student who took Angie Thompson’s Federal Resume Building course, shared his experience with the tool:
"I am not one to be very technologically savvy, but I really enjoyed using deep research for finding jobs... In fact, I am still using the deep research AI tool to find jobs, houses, and financial advice today."
By piecing together your unique academic choices, accomplishments, and future goals, the AI platform creates a path that’s as individual as you are, giving you the specific guidance you need to move forward confidently.
With this support, you’ll leave with a clear, step-by-step action plan tailored just for you. The process begins by helping you identify majors to explore and the classes that best fit your goals. It highlights certifications that can give your resume an edge, as well as meaningful volunteer opportunities and key contacts for networking.
Supporting Career Readiness and Wellbeing
Looking for the right job can feel stressful, especially when you’re juggling classes, work, and everything else college throws your way. That’s why our AI-driven tool does more than just streamline your search—it removes uncertainty and empowers you to make informed choices quickly.
By handling the research and matching you with opportunities, it frees up your time and energy, letting you focus on what truly matters. This targeted support not only boosts your confidence but also helps you feel more secure and supported as you take the next steps in your journey. For student Storaasli (29), learning to utilize these tools changed his outlook on life after graduation:
"Learning how to use the 'Deep Research' AI tool... to find jobs was something I especially enjoyed learning. I consider it one of the most valuable skills I took away from this class. I've worked in the same spot for the past three years, so learning how to utilize the Deep Research tool to find specific jobs in new locations really boosted my confidence. It made me feel much more capable of finding similar work after school, which is important to me since I want to see more of the world."
This approach is designed to support your overall well-being. By connecting your passions to real-world roles, you'll leave with a sense of purpose and the reassurance that every project, club, and student job at UM truly matters and contributes to your growth.
Real-World Impact: Landing a Niche Dream Job
How does this look in practice? Consider a recent Wildlife Biology student whose only experience was related to camp leadership. She wanted a job working on a boat with animals, but she was not interested in traditional marine biology roles.
Using our AI resource, she discovered a unique position doing bird identification on the coast of Alaska. She then used the AI tool to review her resume and prep for the interview. Thanks to this tailored support, she confidently aced her interview and landed the job.
Empowering You for Your First Job and Your Last
The University of Montana ensures its students leave prepared for their first job, their last job, and everything in between. We want their education to lead directly to opportunities that support them both financially and holistically.
At ELCS, our friendly career coaches are ready to help you unlock these AI resources. You have the power to transform your academic journey into a highly successful career path. Stop by the ELCS office today to access your personalized career pathway and take control of your future. Choose YOU, choose UM.
