November 28, 2023

By Christina Henderson

Dear Friends,

I grew up in a small rural community (State Center, Iowa, pop. 1,300). Our local FFA chapter sponsored drive-your-tractor-to-school day. My vision for what I could be when I grew up was limited to what I could see around me. So like my parents, I decided to become a teacher. I earned a Liberal Arts degree and then followed a long, winding road to the tech sector.

I have now spent 13 years in Montana, and nearly 10 years serving the Montana High Tech Business Alliance. The economic data and your personal stories have made it clear that our thriving tech industry and entrepreneurial spirit have increased the number of high-paying jobs in Montana. Surveys by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana show Montana’s tech sector is growing 7 times the overall economy and paying twice the median wage. But access to opportunity is not evenly distributed, and Montana companies often have to hire outside the state to get the skilled talent they need.

As you plan your community giving for the end of 2023 and beyond, will you consider a donation in support of the Montana Jobs Network?

The Problem:

Many Montana students and families lack awareness and access to tech education and employers, especially in low-income, rural, and tribal communities. Like my younger self, they don’t see people like them in tech jobs. They don’t know what it means to work in advanced manufacturing, computer user support, software engineering, project management, or people operations.

This knowledge gap causes Montanans to miss out on training opportunities and high-paying jobs that would help their families and communities to thrive. They don’t realize that some tech jobs could even be done from their home on the family ranch or the reservation.

The Montana High Tech Business Alliance board shares my passion for helping unlikely people discover their love for tech, find good jobs, and stay in Montana.

So in 2023, we affiliated with the Montana Jobs Network, a charitable 501(c)3 nonprofit arm established to help Montana’s next generation of technology workers launch successful careers

Our Solution:

We empower Montana K-12 students, 2-year and 4-year college students, rural and tribal communities, and justice-impacted individuals to learn about tech careers and entrepreneurship, gain high-demand skills, and connect to Montana employers.

What We Did This Year

Educate

Co-hosted career events with UM, MSU, and 2-year colleges to help students like Megan meet role models from local companies and learn about Montana internships and jobs.

Inspire

Organized high school field trips and listening sessions to get young people like Oliver excited to pursue technology education and careers in Montana.

Partner

Hosted meetings for Montana Native American students like Latrell who are pursuing tech careers, in partnership with national and local Indigenous leaders.

Support

Visited Montana State Prison and The Last Mile technology training program and helped graduates of the first cohort like Jason connect with employers.

Would you consider a donation to help us do more of this work in 2024?

Sponsorship and Partnerships

If you or your organization would like to work with our team at the Montana High Tech Business Alliance and Montana Jobs Network to support a particular community or project, please contact Christina Henderson, Executive Director, director[at]mthightech.org or 406-552-9157.

Thank you for your consideration,

Christina Henderson

About the Publisher: Launched in 2014, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance is a nonpartisan nonprofit association of more than 200 high tech and manufacturing companies and affiliates creating high-paying jobs in Montana. For more information, visit MTHighTech.org or subscribe to our newsletter.

About the Author: Christina Henderson has served as executive director of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance since its launch in April 2014. She holds an English/Education degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA from the University of Montana.