Leverage these great career resources and online tools suggested by our members and staff to make this your most proactive winter break yet, and return to campus ready to land your next dream job or internship. Graphic designed by Melissa Paulsen.

December 17, 2025

By Melissa Paulsen

Make this your best winter break yet and return to campus feeling energized about your future. Keep reading for key resources to head into the spring semester with clarity and a solid plan for success in 2026 and beyond.

Always Be Skill Building

Becoming a lifelong learner is crucial for success in the workforce. Take just an hour each day to learn a new skill or develop your current ones through various online certifications and courses.

Online Courses / Certifications:

Amazon AWS Training & Certifications: Access 600+ free digital courses curated by experts at AWS in AI & Machine Learning, Cloud Computing & Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and more.

Google Analytics: Proficiency in Google Analytics can make you more marketable and is applicable across various roles, including digital marketing, management, and web development.
HubSpot Academy: From quick, practical courses to comprehensive certifications, learn everything you need to know about the most sought-after business skills.
LinkedIn Learning: Offers 2,000+ courses, including certifications, continuing education units, and academic credits. Microsoft's Skills for Jobs initiative offers free access to LinkedIn Learning courses.
Meta Certifications: Ranging from beginner to expert courses, Meta certifications can help you develop digital skills to improve your productivity, credibility, and career prospects in areas like digital marketing, marketing strategy, and media planning.
Microsoft Learn: Whether you're just starting in a career or you're an experienced professional, Microsoft Learn can help you hone your skills through interactive modules and pathways or learn from an experienced instructor.
Salesforce Trailhead: Learn in-demand skills for free to drive your career forward. Get hands-on experience building intuitive AI agents that handle everyday tasks, enhance the customer experience, and create business impact as an Agentblazer.
Web3Schools: Through easy to comprehend examples and tutorials on all things code and web development, Web3Schools helps users master HTML, Java, Python, and more.

For students exploring their career options and ways to align their passions with their skills to make a meaningful career, we’ve compiled a list of articles, books, podcasts, and YouTube video recommendations from our members and staff.

Articles:

AI is changing work — the time is now for strategic upskilling (World Economic Forum)
Generative AI and the Future of Work (Deloitte)
Jessica Rolfe’s Career Beginnings Posts (LinkedIn)

Books:

Atomic Habits by James Clear
Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett
How to Win at College: Surprising Secrets for Success from the Country’s Top Students by Cal Newport
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter Brown
60 Seconds and You’re Hired! by Robin Ryan
So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles

Podcasts:

College Survival Guide - explores the ins and outs of collegiate life from student perspectives.
From Dorms to Desks: Why Internships Matter - covers the benefits of internships, what to consider, and alternatives such as Micro-Internships that can allow students to explore industries and strengthen career skills even if a traditional internship isn't the right fit.
The College Info Geek Podcast: Study Tips & Advice for Students - strategies and tactics that the best students use to be awesome at college.

YouTube Videos:

Boost Your Resume & Your Confidence

Winter break is also the perfect time to research career pathways, refresh your resume, and brush up on your interview skills.

Leverage Free Resources to Map Out Your Career

Explore exciting career pathways and opportunities that align with your interests this winter break with these free online tools:

CompTIA Career Explorer: A comprehensive resource designed to inform, inspire, and guide individuals toward their next steps in launching their career.
Hot Montana Jobs Reports: Intended to help job seekers, educators, and community leaders discover high-paying, meaningful jobs close to home
Jobs board platforms like Handshake and the MHTBA online jobs portal to find your next great summer internship and learn what skills employers are looking for.
National Association of Colleges + Employers (NACE) Job Market Blog: Perfect for learning about key workforce trends and in-demand skills, including their 2026 Job Outlook Report
Student Work-based Learning Toolkit: Work-based learning (WBL) is learning about work, at work. This helpful toolkit provides guidance for students exploring internships and career opportunities in Montana.
The Alliance and Montana Jobs Network’s Career Pathways and Education & Training Resource Guides to discover high-paying and in-demand jobs in 12 different tech clusters. Check out our news blog for additional career tips and tricks.

Polish Your Resume to Reflect Your Growth

Be sure to take the time to update your resume with the relevant skills and projects you’ve completed over the year. Some ideas to freshen up your resume include:

Adding the new skills you’ve gained from the semester.
Creating an online portfolio through website builders like Wix or WordPress.
Gaining new skills and experiences through job-simulation programs like Forage and Parker Dewey Micro-Internships.
Setting up a LinkedIn account to showcase your relevant skills and accomplishments to potential employers.

Practice Informational Interviewing

Build your confidence and crush your next job interview by practicing informational interviewing with your family, friends, or university career coaches. There are several free online resources to get you started:

Big Interview lets students practice tailored interview questions and receive structured feedback, making it an ideal tool for winter-break skill-building.
Indeed’s Career Guide articles, like Common Interview Questions and How To Answer Them to help you wow your interviewer.
The printable Informational Interview handout, courtesy of the University of Montana College of Business.

Continue Building Your Professional Network

Even though you’re away from campus, you can still make valuable professional connections:

Keep an eye out for virtual networking events and seminars to learn more about your industry and professionals in your field.
Use social networking websites like LinkedIn to connect with your peers, send thank-you notes to your professors and guest speakers you enjoyed listening to, and research employers.
Volunteer in your community to give back and meet new people.

Follow these ABCs for a productive winter break and return to campus ready to seize your next job opportunity!

Special thanks to our contributors:

Traci Beighle, Director of Career Readiness & Employer Relations, University of Montana College of Business
Toby Blake, Director of the Bracken Resource Center, Montana State University Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Katherine Booher, Director of Workforce Partnerships, Accelerate Montana
Michael Cassens, Associate Professor, University of Montana College of Visual Arts and Media
Karey Sabol and Stacy Ulery, Associate Directors of Experiential Learning, University of Montana Experiential Learning and Career Success

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 biweekly 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 in 2022 with a BFA in creative writing and a minor in history.

Winter Break Career Boost: The ABCs to Get Ahead