2009 Summer/Fall Articles

Let's Get Technical

Let's Get Technical Teaching essential technology is the business of America's technical colleges

Modern technical colleges have evolved dramatically from the manual labor academies of the early 1800s. Gone are the mechanics institutes and vo-techs of yore. Today's technical college is a fountainhead of cutting-edge technology that is functional, dynamic and relevant by design.

 

 

From Fantasy to Phenom

From Fantasy to Phenom Beyond the glitz of nanotech

When people think about nanoscience technology, they often imagine a sci-fi scenario populated by chittering Replicators, those self-copying killworks of the Stargate franchise that work mass makeovers to transform all civilized folk into more legions of their fun-crushing kind.

 

 

Stop, Look and Listen

Stop, Look and Listen Supercool jobs in AV Tech

Audiovisual technology might be the fastest-growing, most dynamic industry on the planet. Estimates put the global market for AV products and services at $75 billion with the North American market alone exceeding $25 billion per year. Nationwide job growth for AV equipment technicians is projected at nearly 25 percent through 2016.

 

 

New Construction Zone

New Construction Zone Civil Engineering Tech gets the right of way

Starting fall semester 2009, Dakota County Technical College will offer Civil Engineering Technology (CET) in partnership with Hennepin Technical College. The new program will help offset a growing shortage of civil engineering technicians in Minnesota and the nation at a time when constructing and modernizing infrastructure becomes increasingly paramount.

 

High-Tech Detectives

High-Tech DetectivesGM ASEP students are smart and getting smarter

As an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) master certified technician at Valley Buick Pontiac GMC in Apple Valley, Minn., Bob Riggin of Lakeville knows exactly how fast the automotive industry is changing.

"GM is coming out with more and more sophisticated vehicles all the time," Riggin said. "We learn something new almost every day and are constantly upgrading our skills and knowledge."

 

Brick by Brick

Brick by Brick Rock-solid careers in concrete and masonry

Any professional mason will tell you that hard work and skill form the foundation of a career in concrete and masonry. In that respect, masons share the worldview of Henry Ford, the American industrialist of some renown who said, "If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability."

 

Providing a Watchful Eye

Providing a Watchful EyeRaising child care awareness

One vexing aspect of parenthood is that just when parents start getting the hang of it, they're out of a job. Kids grow up, move out, have kids of their own and pick up where mom and dad left off. Learning from experience is essential, but parents can also benefit from the expertise and effort provided by early childhood professionals.

 

The Earth's Most Unearthly Buildings

The Earth's Most Unearthly Buildings Architectural technology goes anywhere and everywhere

Architectural technology is serious work, but that doesn't mean architecture lacks a whimsical or even bizarre side. The same design and technical skills that produce mainstream edifices such as warehouses, apartment buildings and shopping malls also get full play in creating structures that capture and unleash the imagination.

 

Rescuing the Golden Goose

Rescuing the Golden Goose On the front lines of the housing crisis

Most economists single out troubles in the housing market as the reason behind the deepest recession since the early 1980s. Martin Otto, the instructor in the DCTC Property Managementprogram, has worked as a real estate broker since 1971. With nearly 40 years of experience as a real estate sales manager, investor and company owner, Marty has never seen a housing slump like the one currently weighing down Minnesota and the nation.

 

Perfect Melting Point

Perfect Melting Point Microsoldering training gets huge stimulus package

Minnesota is BIG into electronics. In 2007, the state totaled $6.2 billion in high-tech exports, a sum that ranked it 9th on the nation's list of cyberstates. Ireland, Canada and China were our top international trading partners in high-tech products with electromedical equipment, computers and peripherals, and industrial electronics leading the way.