Career Pathways

If you’re looking for programs in Montana that teach skills to prepare people for tech jobs, you’ve come to the right place. Jobs in Montana’s tech sector require a range of different skill sets, personality types, backgrounds, and education levels. Whether you’re a student planning for the future, an individual seeking a career change, or someone supporting job seekers, the Alliance’s Education and Training Resource Guide has compiled the best resources to help you find engaging and high-paying tech careers in Montana.

Our guide divides the tech industry into eight main career clusters: Computer Science & IT, STEM, Business & Finance, Entrepreneurship, Sales & Marketing, Media Arts & Communications, Design & Construction, and Manufacturing. We hope this guide connects you to your interests, increases your options for high-tech careers, and accelerates your success.

You may have questions such as Where do I begin? or What if I have multiple interests but I’m not sure how they can intersect? Don’t worry, we have you covered. As you expand your horizons, keep these three steps in mind to take advantage of the abundance of educational and career opportunities available to you throughout Montana.

Step 1: Know Yourself

What’s your story? Just like how no two people are the same, everybody’s career paths are unique to them based on their interests, personalities, and goals in life. To start navigating your distinct career path, ask yourself the following questions:

•      What are my current skills/what am I good at?

•      What do I enjoy doing?

•      What are/were my favorite subjects in school?

•      What am I curious to learn about?

•      How would I describe my personality?

•      Do I like to work alone or with others?

•      What am I looking for in a job or career?

•      What are my goals in life?

•      Are there constraints in my life I need to work around, such as family commitments, location, mobility, time, or finances?

By asking yourself these specific questions, you’re learning how to relate your interests to a fulfilling occupation. In addition, taking the time to self-assess and write out your current skillset and goals for the future helps you create a solid foundation to start your search.

If you’re unsure of your interests or how to select career clusters that might be a good fit, check out the O*NET Interest Profiler. The O*NET Interest Profiler assessment helps you discover how your skills, values, and passions align with different occupations and can determine which careers might interest you. Another helpful resource is the free CompTIA Career Explorer which is designed to inform, inspire, and guide individuals toward their next career step in the tech industry and beyond.

Step 2: Explore Your Options (Pick a Cluster)

Use your answers from the questions in step one to help you navigate which of the eight tech career clusters best aligns with your work-related interests and unique skill set. Click on one of the career cards above to get started.

Step 3: Determine Which Education Pathway is Right for You

Besides your values, interests, and skills, you should also determine how much time you have available to commit to your education. Montana offers a variety of educational opportunities from rapid training to one-and-two-year colleges where you can earn both certificates and associate degrees in technical studies. Additionally, Montana is home to thirteen four-year institutions and seven tribal colleges including Montana State University in Bozeman, the University of Montana in Missoula, and Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, making Montana a great place to start a fulfilling high-tech career. Check out our tech education and training resource guide to get started.