🎓 The Question 100 Montana Tech Students Asked Me
Main Hall, Montana Technological University, Butte Montana.
Three days. One recurring fear. And why they're asking the wrong question.
Three weeks ago, I spent 72 hours at Montana Tech. Met 100+ students. Reviewed dozens of résumés. Took LinkedIn headshots in the hallway with my phone.
The thing that hit me hardest? Every single student asked the same question, just in different words:
"Am I enough?"
The freshman wondering if their high school experience counts. The senior worried they don't have enough internships. The non-traditional student convinced they're too old. The 3.8 GPA engineer who freezes when explaining their capstone project.
I saw myself in every one of them.
You're Asking the Wrong Question
Here's what I told them: You're asking the wrong question.
It's not about being enough. It's about being clear on what you bring and brave enough to articulate it.
That shy kid who spends weekends rebuilding engines with their dad? That's hands-on problem-solving. The student working nights to pay tuition? That's grit and time management. The one who failed Calc II and came back stronger? That's resilience.
The real work isn't padding your résumé. It's recognizing the value you already carry and learning to communicate it.
The Hard Part Is Already Done
Montana Tech students have the hard part down. They can solve differential equations, design mining systems, code all night, and troubleshoot problems that would make most people's heads spin.
The foundation is rock-solid. They just need to add the finish work.
Polish isn't fake—it's translation. It's taking all that technical brilliance and making it accessible. It's learning to shake hands firmly, make eye contact, and explain complex work in simple terms. It's ironing your shirt and updating your LinkedIn.
These aren't character changes. They're presentation upgrades; like the packaging for an awesome shopping experience - it doesn’t change what’s inside - but it showcases it - fully.
Think of it like this: You wouldn't submit a CAD drawing on a napkin, even if the engineering is perfect. You'd present it properly. Your career deserves the same treatment.
Small Changes, Massive Impact
Over three days, I watched transformations happen in real-time:
A clean LinkedIn headshot
A practiced elevator pitch
A firm handshake
Clear articulation of their projects
The best part? Polish is learnable. You can master it in weeks, not years.
The internal strength, work ethic, and problem-solving ability? That takes decades to build. And Montana Tech students already have it.
The Real Montana Tech Advantage
To every student I met: You've done the hard work. Now spend a little time on the easy part. The world needs what you've built—just help them see it clearly.
Stop asking if you're enough. Start showing what you've got.
The mountains didn't make themselves overnight. Neither will you.
But you're already further along than you think.
