Gallatin College Montana State University will host about 900 middle school and high school students from the Gallatin Valley for its fourth annual career and technical education fair on April 23 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.
The event, called GC-360: A World of CTE, aims to introduce students to a range of local career fields. The fair will feature demonstrations from 23 local companies and organizations as well as several Gallatin College MSU programs. Career fields represented include photonics, dentistry, carpentry, culinary arts and others. Students will rotate between hands-on stations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the stations open to the public from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is free.
“There are so many careers in our community that students just don’t see, and the more we show them these opportunities, the more they can ask questions and learn about themselves and their passions,” said Jessi Cannaday, enrollment manager for Gallatin College MSU. “Eighth-grade students may not know what they want to be when they grow up, but they should have the opportunity to see what’s out there.”
Montana State University leads in research funding in the state with annual expenditures exceeding $288 million according to the official website. The university also contributes through volunteer efforts, outreach initiatives and research focused on improving lives and protecting the environment according to its official website.
Montana State University ranks among the top five percent of global universities per data from the Center for World University Rankings and leads in Montana according to its official website. The university enrolls approximately 17,165 students who are evenly split between residents of Montana and nonresidents according to its official website.
As Montana’s land-grant institution, Montana State University focuses on research, education and community outreach aimed at addressing key challenges facing society according to its official website. Its influence extends across Montana and beyond through these efforts.