KALISPELL – University of Montana President Seth Bodnar was in Kalispell on Thursday to talk with students about continuing on to higher education.

Bodnar says 40% of high school students in Montana chose not to continue on to college and also stressed that 90% of jobs currently require some form of high education.

The aim of Bodnar’s trip was to explain to students their critical thinking skills and creativity are needed to shape future job opportunities.

“There are many jobs they’re going to be doing that don’t exist today. And what we’re doing, and what we at the University of Montana are focused on is not just preparing students for that first job out of school,” Bodnar told MTN News.

“We are shaping them into critical thinkers and problem solvers who can adapt and succeed in their fifth, their sixth, their tenth job,” he added.

A former Green Beret — and now a member of the Montana National Guard — Bodnar is encouraging students to seek out scholarships provided to those in ROTC or the US Coast Guard.

He also reminded students there are many options that can make funding a higher education feasible. Bodnar stopped by high schools in Great Falls and Helena before coming to the Flathead.