Prospective Students & Families

ELCS provides a variety of events each academic year! Our goal is to provide you with a range of opportunities to develop and hone your skills while also finding your passion! We have the following events planned for the upcoming academic year (2025/26)!

• Fall Jobs Fest | September 9, 2025
• Healthcare Professions Fair | September 29, 2025
• Industry and Trades Fair | February 3, 2026
  • Ready to take the next step in your journey towards a career in the industrial sector? Don’t miss this chance to connect with employers, explore job and internship opportunities, and learn about the skills that really stand out. 
    • When: February 3
    • Where: UM West Campus
• Hire Griz Spring Career Fair | March 4, 2026
  • Mark your calendars Grizzlies, for our biggest event of the year…the Hire Griz Career Fair! Get ready to kickstart your career journey at the University of Montana’s Hire Griz Spring Career Fair on  March 4th, 2026! This event is YOUR golden ticket to connect with a diverse array of employers offering a multitude of positions from part-time summer gigs to full-time professional career opportunities across ALL industries. Whether you’re exploring summer gigs or gearing up for graduation, there’s something here for EVERYONE. We can’t wait for you to join us at this exciting event!
    • When: March 4 
    • Where: UC Ballroom

At UM, student employment is a great way to gain practical 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 campus. Whether you’re assisting in administrative offices, making delicious food at the Lodge or other campus dining areas, or supporting campus events, these roles are available at a variety 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 (GCS). 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, teamwork, and more!  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.  Plus ELCS partners with many other campus departments to integrate GCS into your student employment position, so you can gain new skills and get paid while doing so!

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 report 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.

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

• Service Saturdays: Service Saturdays are UM-associated service events held on one-to-two Saturdays each month throughout the academic year. On these days, ELCS and participating students assist various Missoula-based non-profits helping them achieve their goals. Previous Service Saturdays have included activities such as socializing cats at AniMeals, serving food at the Poverello Center, harvesting vegetables with Garden City Harvest, and more!
• Alternative Breaks: Alternative Breaks take you out of the classroom and immerse you in engaging, hands-on explorations of social and environmental issues through meaningful service projects in new communities. During an Alternative Break trip, you can expect to travel with a group of 8 – 12 other students to a new community where you will engage in direct service projects with local nonprofits, join in educational conversations with inspiring leaders, be guided through daily reflections, and gain new skills and perspectives. Every Alternative Break includes community immersion time where you’ll explore the city’s history and culture through team-planned recreation and sightseeing activities.
  • This year, we will be traveling to Seattle, Washington, where students will focus on addressing youth homelessness, Point Reyes National Seashore, California, where students will be focusing on wildland restoration and ocean conservation, and a NEW mystery location to be debuted in November.
  • Applications will open in November 2025
    • Interested? Fill out our Alternative Breaks Interest form to be the first to know about all thing Alt breaks!