Montana Tech student gains hands-on experience through Huntsman Cancer Institute internship
Gwendolyn Gilliam didn’t expect to land an internship with one of the nation’s leading cancer research institutions.
“I took a chance and applied, knowing it would be an incredible opportunity to grow,” she said.
That simple decision led the Montana Technological University biology student to a hands-on experience with Huntsman Cancer Institute that allowed her to serve communities across Montana while building skills for her future in healthcare.
Originally from Goldendale, Washington, Gilliam chose Montana Tech for its strong biology program and quickly found her path. A junior with plans to attend dental school—ideally specializing—she has long been drawn to healthcare and patient care. Her internship added a new dimension to that interest, showing her how education and outreach can shape outcomes long before a patient ever steps into a clinic.
Gilliam served as a community outreach and engagement intern from August through December 2025, working remotely from Montana while collaborating with teams across the Mountain West Region. Early in the experience, she traveled to Utah for onboarding, where she met fellow interns and was immersed in Huntsman’s mission.
Programs like this, offered through Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Community Outreach and Engagement and Cancer Research Training initiatives, help students across the Mountain West gain hands-on experience in cancer research, education, and outreach.
“Everyone I met spoke positively about Huntsman Cancer Institute,” she said. “It was just such a welcoming environment, and everybody wanted to see you succeed and gain experience.”
Back in Montana, Gilliam’s work quickly became hands-on. Rather than simply assisting with projects, she was given the responsibility to lead one from start to finish by planning and executing a cancer prevention and education event in Bozeman.
From coordinating with a local senior center to organizing logistics and delivering information, the experience challenged her to step into a leadership role.
“One of the most valuable aspects of the internship was the opportunity to independently coordinate a community education event,” she said.
The event focused on providing accessible cancer education, helping community members better understand prevention, early detection, and available resources. It was a tangible example of how outreach can directly impact public health, especially in rural areas where access to care and information can be limited.
Gilliam is familiar with how important prevention is in healthcare. She works as a chairside orthodontic assistant at a local dental office, where she assists with wire adjustments and changing colors on patient’s braces. Getting first-hand experience in people’s mouths emphasizes the importance of proactive care.
“One of the biggest aspects of dental care is prevention,” Gilliam said.
Gilliam also works as a server in a local restaurant and is a member of the Pre-Professional Health Club. As she continues to build her resume in preparation for applying to dental schools, she says hands-on experiences like the internship with Huntsman Cancer Institute and working in the orthodontic office are important.
“I’m able to apply and connect the things I’m learning in the classroom to my work in healthcare,” Gilliam said.
Her advice for students considering a future in healthcare is to jump in. She moved to Butte without any local connections. By engaging with her peers, she built a network that eventually led to her orthodontic assistant role.
“Growth comes from doing things that make you uncomfortable,” she said.