Young Professionals Pursue Passions and Purpose in Great Falls, MT 

Courtesy of GFDA

Great Falls isn’t just a great place to live, it’s also a great place to work. Finding purpose, building communities and getting actively involved is easy to do, especially for Gen Z, a group that cares a lot about doing work that matters. 

Emma Nelson relocated to Montana from Washington state and decided to put down roots. Her experience is one of many, but it speaks volumes to all that Great Falls has to offer for those considering moving here.

How did you hear about Great Falls and why did you make the move?

I first moved to Helena, Montana, from a small town in Washington. I graduated from Carroll College in 2020, and I intended on leaving Montana after graduation, but then the pandemic hit. 

I stayed in Helena, and during this time, I absolutely fell in love with Montana. I ended up meeting my now husband at the Great Falls 4th of July Hootenanny. My husband was living in Great Falls as active-duty military, so once we decided to get married, I moved to Great Falls.

I’ll be the first to admit that I was initially hesitant about moving to Great Falls, yet it took almost no time at all before it felt like home in a way nowhere else had before.

How does your profession align with your passions? 

Even as a kid, I’ve always felt a calling to the nonprofit sector. I spent a lot of time volunteering for numerous nonprofits and community organizations when I was growing up.

My journey really began with an internship at the Montana Community Foundation, and after graduating college, I worked in human resources at another nonprofit organization.

Now, at NeighborWorks Great Falls, I have the opportunity to witness the power of homeownership and financial stability firsthand. I hear some pretty incredible stories, and I can’t imagine working for a company without a mission I believe in or where I can’t see the tangible effects of our efforts. 

In my current role, I’ve been fortunate to have so many opportunities to engage with the community. I love meeting new people and connecting with others who share the same passions. To be in a position where I get to not only make a difference but get to work so closely with others – my younger self would be proud.

How does the size of Great Falls – with a population of 60,000 – impact your ability to get involved and meet people?

I think Great Falls is the perfect-sized town. It has everything you could possibly want – local and commercial shopping, unique restaurants, fun events, networking opportunities – without losing that sense of a community. 

Great Falls is small enough that it is incredibly easy to get involved in groups or find people with similar interests. I’ve met most of my friends through my passion for rock climbing. I started going to a climbing gym here in town just for something to do on cold days. In what felt like the blink of an eye, I suddenly had this close group of friends I do nearly everything with.

There are also plenty of professional groups available. Whether that be getting involved in a young professional’s group like Rotary Electric, volunteering for an event downtown or maybe joining a board – there is a lot offered if you’re willing to look. When I attend events, I see so many familiar faces I can wave to, yet I always have the chance to meet new people. The size of Great Falls truly offers the best of both worlds, and I don’t take that for granted.