Assignment Ready Platforms
Big Interview
Big Interview is an innovative, secure, AI-powered platform designed to help Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ prepare for interviews for graduate school, internships, and jobs. This online platform combines educational content with practical exercises and AI-driven feedback to enhance Ñý¼§Ö±²¥' interview techniques and build their confidence.
*Big Interview's
Key Features:
- Interview Practice and Feedback: Students can practice, record their responses, and receive AI-generated feedback on eye contact, filler words, and other interview behaviors.
- Extensive Curriculum: A library of videos and handouts covers topics such as job search strategies, resume building, salary negotiation, and tips for success in the workplace.
- Interview Playbooks: Tailored guidance for individuals facing unique career transitions or challenges, including career changers, military transition, neurodiversity, overcoming nerves, being introverted, marketing oneself, job description interpretation, and more.
- Resume Builder and Templates: A step-by-step guide for creating professional resumes, complete with templates and helpful tips.
Faculty and Staff Tools:
- Custom Questions Sets: Add and record customized interview questions tailored to the needs of specific programs or degrees.
- Assignments: Design personalized student interview assignments, provide feedback or grades, and monitor student progress. Students can also engage in self-reflection.
- Watch the easy-to-use tutorial for
Steps to Get Started
- with your NetID to activate your user account.
- Request Org Admin access to create custom question sets and assignments by emailing stacy.ulery@umontana.edu.
Forage
Help prepare your Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ for careers they'll love, for free. is a free, open-access, virtual platform for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ seeking practical work experience by leading companies including General Electric, Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase, Accenture, and many more.
Key Features:
- Virtual Job Simulations: Students complete real-world tasks in 5-6 hours, guided by pre-recorded videos and example answers, simulating actual work experiences.
- Short Courses: In under 15 minutes, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ can explore different roles within top companies, gaining valuable insights into potential career paths.
- Earn Certificates: Upon completing simulations or courses, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ can receive certificates to enhance their resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Exceptional performance may even lead to internship or job offers.
- Self-Paced and Accessible: No live sessions, applications, or prior experience required—Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ can complete the simulations at their own pace, making it easy to integrate practical work experience into their busy schedules.
Faculty and Staff Tools:
- Align with Course Objectives: Select job simulations from 100s of options that complement your course’s learning goals, offering Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ real-world tasks relevant to their field of study.
- Flexible and Self-Paced: Assign simulations or short courses at any time during the semester, allowing Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to complete them at their own pace without disrupting class schedules.
- Customizable Assessments: Use reflection assignments or discussions to encourage Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to connect their simulation experiences with course content and professional development.
- Connect to Industry: Introduce Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to top employers, offering them valuable industry exposure and networking opportunities through these virtual experiences.
Steps to Get Started
- To register as an educator, head to (may take 1-2 days for your account to be verified). Watch the tutorial.
- Once approved as an educator, you can create a new class page on your educator dashboard. tutorial.
- Once your page is live, you will be provided with a link that can be shared with Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ through email or Canvas.
- Track student participation through the dashboard, and consider incorporating reflective assessment of their virtual experience, access Forage’s
- Check out the full to learn more.
Handshake
is UM's primary platform for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to discover jobs, internships, and career events tailored to their needs. Handshake helps Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ navigate their career paths and secure meaningful opportunities with personalized recommendations and direct connections to employers.
Key Features:
- Access to Exclusive Opportunities: When faculty and staff direct employers to Handshake, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ gain access to job and internship postings specifically targeted to UM. This gives Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ a competitive edge in finding positions that align with their academic and career goals.
- Personalized Job Recommendations: Handshake uses Ñý¼§Ö±²¥' profiles to provide tailored job and internship suggestions, helping them find relevant opportunities faster and more precisely.
- Career Event Participation: Through Handshake, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ can easily register for career fairs, workshops, and employer-led events, increasing their exposure to potential employers and learning about various industries.
- Direct Employer Connections: By directing employers to Handshake, you help create direct pathways for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to connect with industry professionals. Students can message employers, follow companies, and explore career opportunities beyond the classroom.
- Efficient Application Process: Handshake’s user-friendly platform allows Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to create a comprehensive professional profile, upload resumes, and apply to multiple jobs or internships with just one click, making the job search process more efficient.
Faculty and Staff Tools:
- Extra Credit for Career Events: Encourage career engagement by offering extra credit for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who attend a career event or activity on campus.
- Job Exploration Assignments: Create an activity or assignments that requires Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to explore job opportunities, internships, or network with employers relevant to their field of study. Have Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ identify three career skills needed for the position and one to two ways they could develop those skills through coursework, jobs, student clubs, or other life experiences.
Steps to Get Started
- If you already have a Handshake account, you can log in here:
- If you are new to Handshake, please contact sabol@mso.umt.edu to determine the right kind of account for your needs.
- Please direct employers who contact you with position openings to the ELCS Employer page, or reach out to elcs@umontana.edu.
Micro-Internships
by Parker Dewey provide UM Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ with short-term, paid professional projects that offer valuable, real-world experience. These flexible opportunities help Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ build skills, explore career paths, and connect with employers without the time commitment of a traditional internship.
Micro-internships are competitive opportunities, so Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ should consider meeting with an ELCS career coach and/or utilizing Parker Dewey's to craft a competitive application.
Key Features:
- Flexible, Short-Term Projects: Micro-internships are paid, professional assignments that typically last 5-40 hours over a two—to four-week period, making them ideal for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ with busy schedules. They are open at no cost to all UM Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ and alumni.
- Remote Opportunities: Many micro-internships are completed remotely, providing convenience and accessibility regardless of location.
- Skill Development: These internships offer hands-on experience with tasks similar to those given to new hires, helping you build in-demand skills for future internships or full-time positions.
- Career Exploration: Micro-internships allow exploring different industries and career paths without the long-term commitment of a traditional internship.
- Professional Networking: By working on real projects, you can build relationships with employers, showcase your abilities, and open doors for future opportunities.
Faculty and Staff Tools:
- Incorporate as Course Assignments: Ask Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to create a Parker Dewey account and identify 1-3 micro-internships that align with their interests. Have Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ write a paragraph for each opportunity that describes why it is a good fit for their skills and interests.
- Offer Academic Credit: When a student is selected for a micro-internship, work with them to earn credit while gaining valuable skills.
- Facilitate Reflection and Skill-Building: Have Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ reflect on their micro-internship experiences through class discussions, presentations, or written reflections to deepen learning and enhance skill development.
- Connect with Industry: Encourage employer partners to post short-term, paid projects for UM Ñý¼§Ö±²¥. Parker Dewey will prioritize these projects for all UM student accounts.
Steps to Get Started
- Visit the to learn more and view the library of possibilities.