|
Throughout my high school years I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I entered the big world. All the tests I took that were supposed to tell me what I wanted to be when I grew up pointed me towards the architectural/drafting field. While looking for schools to attend after graduation that related to this field, I came across the Civil Engineering program at CVTC. This was a more structural orientated program, but it involved drafting and I liked what I saw. At the time I had no idea what structural drafting was. So… I enrolled in the Civil Engineering program.
This decision has turned out to be a great one. The instructors did an excellent job in teaching the program.. The program does an excellent job of giving you the basic knowledge you need to get a job in a variety of fields. To this day, I will not forget the words “where the numbers are coming from”. These are words that those who had “Mac” (Dave MacLaughlin) as an instructor heard a lot.
After my first two semesters I had enough knowledge from my CAD classes that I was able to take a part time job at Lyman Lumber drafting residential housing. Even though I was just getting started with the program I was able to apply the things I learned in my CAD classes and use my newly learned communication skills when talking with the contractors and home owners. I was also able to help out as a tutor in the CAD lab. This was an opportunity that helped me become more of a CAD guru. My fundamentals drafting project was chosen to be built, which was a big accomplishment to me and motivated me to want to work harder throughout the program.
After a lot of hard work and dedication I graduated in 1996 at the top of my class and took a job as an entry level CAD drafter at Ericksen Roed & Associates, a Structural Engineering Design Firm out of St. Paul, MN. The firm currently employs about 45 drafters and engineers. CVTC provided me with the knowledge I needed to hit the ground running. Throughout my time here, I have worked my way up to Senior Structural Designer. In this position I am able to manage most of the project while working with the engineer. I attend meetings, make coordination decisions, handle field questions during the construction phase, and occasionally get to make it to the job site.
I also currently carry the title “Information Systems Coordinator”. In my spare time while not drafting I provide computer support and am backup for our IT. I am acting CAD Manager which means I am responsible for keeping our CAD system running and up to date. I maintain two of our large format plotters and scanners. Being in the CAD management position allows me to participate in the interviewing process when looking for new hires. I was recently appointed the duty of bringing Revit Structure into our office. This is a new 3D CAD program.
I strongly believe that the CVTC program and its instructors have given me the skills that I needed to help get me where I am at today. The two years of hard work and dedication really paid off.
Here at Ericksen Roed, 9 out of our 18 structural designers are from the CVTC program. We at Ericksen Roed & Associates feel that the program gives the students the knowledge they need to make it in the real world. It teaches them good communication skills, teamwork, self direction, attention to detail, capacity to learn, how the different structural systems pieces fit together, basic structural design through the structural analysis classes, and the ability to cope with an ever-changing environment and ever-shortening schedules. These are all characteristics that we look for in our structural designers and why we look forward to hearing from new graduates in the spring.
Thank you, CVTC.
|
