Know Your Story: Advice from Montana Hiring Managers for Tech Jobs & Internships
From left to right: Keriann Strickland, Chief Marketing Officer, Submittable; Kym Corwin, Head of Workforce Development & Site Strategy, Cognizant; Kina Kuhn, Director of Community Engagement & Media Relations, Blackfoot Communications; Jann Butler, Executive Coach & Advisor, former VP People for onX; and Emma Varney, MISA President, University of Montana College of Business. On February 25, 2026, the student-focused panel “How to Get Montana Tech Jobs & Internships” featured career tips from professionals working for Montana-based companies and national tech firms with local roots, co-hosted by the University of Montana College of Business, Montana Jobs Network, and Montana High Tech Business Alliance.
March 24, 2026
By Melissa Paulsen
On February 25, 2026, the University of Montana College of Business and MISA student chapter co-hosted the employer panel and networking session, “How to Get Montana Tech Jobs & Internships,” with the Montana High Tech Business Alliance and Montana Jobs Network.
Panelists from Cognizant, Blackfoot Communications, Submittable, and onX shared practical advice on preparing for internships and entry-level roles in today’s competitive job market.
#1: There’s No Substitute for Soft Skills
While technical skills can always be learned, the panelists emphasized that employers deeply value soft skills.
“It’s important to communicate with people strongly and with AI,” said Kym Corwin, Head of Workforce Development & Site Strategy for Cognizant. “If you’re not saying clearly what you need in the [AI] prompting, then you’re not going to get what you need out of it, and it will be ineffective. It’s the same thing when working with people, so communication is extremely critical.”
Other key soft skills highlighted by panelists included:
Being receptive to feedback from peers and managers.
Communicating with confidence verbally and in writing.
Critical thinking and problem solving, even when all the information isn’t available.
Multitasking and prioritization to efficiently manage competing daily priorities.
Organization and time management to complete work within assigned deadlines.
Staying curious because tech companies constantly evolve.
Strong teamwork for projects and presentations.
#2: Pack Your Skills Portfolio
In addition to developing soft skills, the panelists encouraged students to focus on building a broad, complementary set of technical skills (See also: How to Get a High-paying Job with Your Humanities & Sciences Degree).
“Worry less about a job title and go get skills,” said Jann Butler, Executive Coach & Advisor and former VP People for onX. “You never know what that skill is going to be that gets you the job, whether that's project management, data analytics, or your soft skills. Pack the skills portfolio.”
In-demand areas mentioned included AI fluency and data analytics. Students can begin building these skills by:
Asking peers and professors what digital tools they’re using. (Discover how else UM students are leveraging AI.)
Practicing prompting with free AI-agents like Chat GPT or Microsoft Copilot.
Taking free online courses to develop AI and analytics skills offered by sites like Google, HubSpot Academy, LinkedIn Learning, and Salesforce Trailhead.
Using Google to research digital tools for upskilling.
The Montana High Tech Business Alliance and Montana Jobs Network also offer Education & Training and Career Pathways guides to help students identify relevant programs, certifications, and skill-building opportunities across Montana’s tech economy.
#3: Know Your Story
Keriann Strickland, Chief Marketing Officer for Submittable, encouraged students to be intentional about how they present their experiences.
“Tell me a story about why your GPA is proof of your ability to succeed in this specific role,” Strickland said. “What did you learn during that gap period on your resume that would make you a standout employee or serve you in a particular way that other people might not have? I want to see you drawing those connections.”
She also advised students not to be afraid of risking rejection and to continually practice their pitch.
Additionally, the panelists touched on the importance of authenticity during a job interview to make a positive impression. They agreed that practicing for an interview is essential, but that it’s also okay to admit nervousness, to take a pause before answering, or to circle back to a question.
For questions that throw off a candidate during the interview, the panelists suggested following up with hiring managers to thank them for the question and then taking initiative with an action plan to address that skill or knowledge gap.
#4: Tap Into the Power of Networking
All the panelists underlined how networking opens doors to new opportunities, including mentorship. They said mentorship can range from executives to entry-level employees and even peers.
The panelists also discussed keeping an open mind when networking and applying for jobs and internships. Although networking may feel scary in the moment, the more students practice, the easier it will become.
“You just have to put yourself out there,” said Kina Kuhn, Director of Community Engagement & Media Relations for Blackfoot Communications. “Maybe you don't hear back. But, if that's the worst thing that's going to happen, what are we afraid of? [Networking] can also be a foot in the door to meet people and explore all the opportunities available at a company. There may be something amazing only months away. You just never know.”
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 monthly newsletter.
The Montana Jobs Network (MJN), a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit affiliated with the Alliance, empowers Montanans to launch high-paying careers. For more information, visit MTHighTech.org/montana-jobs-network.
About the Author: Melissa Paulsen is the communications coordinator for the Montana High Tech Business Alliance and Montana Jobs Network. She graduated from the University of Montana with a BFA in creative writing and a minor in history.
