The recipient of a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology from the University of Montana, Mike Stermitz paid for his tuition by working as a seasonal employee at Yellowstone National Park and a fisheries technician for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. In 1987, Mike Stermitz completed training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and, as a result, was promoted to game warden for the government agency.

After eight years with Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks, Mike Stermitz enrolled at Montana Tech, where he earned an associate of applied science in environmental technology. Upon completing his degree, he accepted an environmental inspector position with High Plains Environmental Field Services, where he worked four years as a liaison between regulatory agencies and contractors on construction projects including natural gas pipelines.

Mr. Stermitz has held similar positions with Louis Berger and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. He also worked five years as a water quality specialist with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, where he collected and analyzed samples of water from the state's rivers, lakes, and streams. Mr. Stermitz presently serves as a construction manager for Arcadis, where he conducts wetland delineations and wildlife surveys for pre-construction projects, among other tasks.