Introducing Helena Students to Banking Careers Through Hands On Exploration

On May 7–8, our team participated in the Helena Chamber of Commerce’s Career Exploration Day, joining students from Helena Middle School and C.R. Anderson Middle School at Helena College for two days of hands‑on learning and discovery. The event brought together a dozen stations representing a wide range of industries, giving students the opportunity to explore potential career paths early and ask real‑world questions about what different jobs look like.

Representing Opportunity Bank of Montana was Recruitment & Retention Officer Tom Burkhart, who volunteered for his third year at the event. Each student group rotated through stations every 20 minutes, engaging in short presentations and interactive activities designed to spark curiosity and conversation. At the banking station, Tom led a “banking myths” discussion, encouraging students to think about what banking is (and isn’t), and helping them see the variety of roles and opportunities within the industry.

“One of the coolest parts is the questions,” Tom shared. “Students are genuinely curious, and it’s great to get them thinking about what might be out there for them before they even start high school and begin choosing their elective courses. Events like this give students earlier exposure to possibilities they may not have considered.”

We’re glad to support opportunities like Career Exploration Day that connect students with local industries and help them explore a wide range of career options. Thank you to the Helena Chamber for hosting this event and creating space for young learners to explore future careers.