As we listen to the political debate this fall it is difficult not to get caught up in the emotion that follows the poll results, the television and radio commercials, and now the debates.

Eventually, conservative, liberal and independent all starts to sound the same. Why must it all occupy so much of our time and our media?

Maybe the answer is because we are a democracy and maybe I will take the time today to thank God I am alive, filled with grace and that I live in a country that allows me to hear this healthy debate.

How does education play into all of this? Perhaps we should all remind ourselves that if we work in education that we not only have the right to express our opinions, we have the obligation to urge our students to enjoy and participate in the debate, no matter which side of the pendulum we swing too.

September 17^th was constitution day. A day when most educational institutions spend some time conveying the importance and the gift we all received on this day.

No matter how much we argue about the details of its meaning today, in the opinion of many, the Constitution signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787 represents the greatest expression of statesmanship and compromise ever written. In just four hand-written pages, the Constitution gives us no less than the owners’ manual to the greatest form of government the world has ever known.

The Federal Convention convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation. Because the delegations from only two states were at first present, the members adjourned from day to day until a quorum of seven states was obtained on May 25. Through discussion and debate it became clear by mid-June that, rather than amend the existing Articles, the Convention would draft an entirely new frame of government. All through the summer, in closed sessions, the delegates debated, and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution. Among the chief points at issue were how much power to allow the central government, how many representatives in Congress to allow each state, and how these representatives should be elected–directly by the people or by the state legislators. The work of many minds, the Constitution stands as a model of cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise.

Let’s take a few more moments as we head into this frenzy of modern day politics to appreciate our gift and get involved. You might just make history.

Keith A. Fossen
President NTI

Starting this Fall, we will be offering graduates free email for 5 years or until we reach capacity, which ever is the later. We will use this email address to communicate job postings, gather and share graduate statistics, gather and share programmatic feedback, and spread the latest news. Past graduates can request this service by contacting Amy Nelson. We need your first and last name, and month and year of graduation to set up an account.

I have interviewed numerous times–at least a dozen times that I remember. Some of the interviews were excellent (the interviewer made me want to work there), while others were bad (the interviewer had no idea how to interview). This promped the development of a tutorial many years ago, one I recently updated. It covers only the basics:http://www.nti.edu/Interviewing/

Although this tutorial is meant for interviewers, it can also help interviewees understand the types of questions interviewers may ask, as well as those that are illegal to ask.

Happy interviewing!

Rumors have been floating for years, but they are finally true. NTI just received confirmation that our current building in Eden Prairie has been sold, allowing us the opportunity to upgrade our facility.

The current building is being demolished to make way for a new downtown development plan. NTI’s new campus will be on Lake Polzin in Eagan, MN, on Interstate 494, 15.8 miles east of our current campus. This facility upgrade will allow us to position ourselves for continued growth driven by employer demand for our graduates and the corresponding growth in our enrollment. Our new facility includes numerous amenities:

• Located on 20-Acre Lake Polzin with walking paths around the lake.
• Customized class rooms to meet instructional needs.
• A one-level fully ADA compliant building.
• Fiber optic technologies.
• Daily bus/Transit in the area MN Valley transit.
• Expanded resource center, student lounge and outdoor break area.
• A truly modern, world class campus environment.
• Room to absorb NTI’s continued growth.
• Greater access to affordable, safe student housing.

The world of drafting and design continues to change and NTI strives to stay ahead the curve with new technologies. Our new campus positions us for an exciting future. We look forward to sharing our new campus with all of our students and staff starting on January 2, 2007.

Look for an open house invitation to accompany our 50 year anniversary celebration in the summer of 2007.

ERIC THOMPSON
Since the beginning of high school, I have known I wanted to work with engineering. My passion for learning and using computers has driven me towards a career in design. Now, after five years of school experience in CAD, I am eager to get a position with an upwardly mobile company. I am looking forward to an exciting future in the engineering field and finding a job that will challenge my skills and allow for growth and learning. I have been in the work force since age 14 and have a strong work ethic. I am committed to moving forward within a company.

• 1 year ProEngineer Wildfire experience as an Intern at a distinguished company
• Pro/E, SolidWorks and AutoCAD experience
• Pro/Sheetmetal and Pro/Moldesign experience
• Automobile Mechanics background

BRET WILEMAN
I am proud to be graduating from NTI, the instructors have given me the skills and training necessary to start my career as a Mechanical CAD Drafter / Designer. It will be exciting to get into a position where I can be challenged while using the technical and professional skills along with the knowledge I have obtained.

• 6 months industry experience as a Mechanical CAD Drafter with product design
• Prior Military, firefighting and medical work experience
• 16 years of Building and Aquatic Facility Maintenance and Repair experience
• Supervisor experience
• State of Minnesota Engineer’s License - 1st Class Grade C
• Small engine repair
• Pro/Sheetmetal and Pro/Moldesign experience

PAUL ANTILA
The professional and technical skills I have acquired through the courses at NTI, have helped me become a valuable asset to a team in the architectural related field. I am self-motivated, confident, a team leader and team player who is looking for a full-time position with a progressive firm with room for growth and advancement through hard work and determination.

• AutoCAD 2002, 2005 & 2006
• 2 years AutoCAD 2000ADT in high school
• Restoration and Remodeling experience
• 3D modeling - AutoCAD
• Commercial and Residential Drafting
• Architectural Standards and Design Concepts

SAMANTHA BARBER
As a new graduate of Northwest Technical Institute, I look forward to entering into the architectural industry as a full-time drafter. I am interested in pursuing both residential or commercial. I am seeking the opportunity to apply what I have learned and develop my skills in industry while exploring the many different fields industry has to offer. My career goal is to achieve whatever challenges lie before me, come out with more knowledge than I began with and do the best I can on every project.

• AutoCAD 2000, 2002, 2005 & 2006
• 1 year industry drafting experience
• Commercial background

CORY J. BILLIG
As a recent graduate of NTI, I am both eager and excited to become employed full-time in the Architecture field. I am a very goal-oriented person with a strong work ethic. I have and will continue to work hard to gain the knowledge and skills needed for my career. I enjoy being challenged and strive for detail. I am seeking a position as a CAD Drafter / Designer with room for advancement where I can continue to grow professionally.

• 4.0 G.P.A.
• 5 years Construction experience
• 4 years AutoCAD experience ~Residential & Commercial drafting

RAGENDRA DEORAJ
With graduation rapidly approaching I am looking for a full-time Architectural Drafting position where I can utilize my CAD skills, education and experience. I am a creative, hardworking individual who enjoys being challenged and pushed to new limits. I strive for detail, accuracy and excellence on every project I work on.

• 5 years AutoCAD experience
• Mechanical & Architectural Drafting in high school
• 1 year construction experience
• AutoCAD R14, 2002, 2005 and 2006
• Field measurement and documentation experience

ADAM HAUS
I have been known as an athlete, a music writer, an eagle scout and now an architectural drafter. Upon approaching graduation, opportunity has been presented and decisions are critical to my success and future. As I end one chapter of my life, accomplishing a goal and graduating, I look forward to moving on to the next phase and setting new aspirations and achievements to strive for. I am looking for a career as a CAD Technician where I can continue to learn and grow professionally in the architectural field.

• AutoCAD 2002, 2005 and 2006
• 3D Modeling experience
• Residential and Commercial Drafting
• Mechanical & Architectural Drafting in high school

ANDY GRAFF
Upon reaching graduation at NTI, I hope to obtain a rewarding position in the field of architecture. I am very eager to apply the skills I have developed through out my education and to continue to learn about the industry. I look forward to contributing to a team that is as ambitious as I am and shares the same enthusiasism for the architectural design field. My strengths include dependability, working well with others and a willingness to learn.

• AutoCAD 2002, 2005 & 2006
• Additional course work in Construction Technology

KALEY LINDQUIST
As graduation is nearing, I am becoming more and more eager to become employed full-time as a CAD Drafter / Designer in the Architectural field. My primary interest lies in the design of residential homes; I am looking forward to using the knowledge and skills I have obtained from NTI. I am self-motivated, prompt, accurate and able to handle multiple tasks. I want to continue learning so I can advance in my career and grow professionally.

• Residential & Commercial Drafting
• AutoCAD 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007
• 1 year manual drafting

BRIAN J. NIEHAUS
As a NTI graduate, I am seeking a full-time position in Architectural CADD Design. I am someone who enjoys learning and being challenged. I am currently working as a CADD Designer while attending school. I have worked in a managerial position in the past and feel that I have great people skills, time management abilities and I enjoy working in groups. I am proficient in AutoCAD 2002, 2005 and 2006, along with Word Professional software, building materials & estimating. I have produced operation and maintenance manuals, bills of materials, etc… In closing, I am a hard worker seeking a challenging position with a exciting and growing company.

• 3.94 G.P.A.
• 6 months industry drafting/design experience
• 5 years construction industry experience

MELISSA SACK
While at NTI, I have developed many tools to advance my CAD skills and my knowledge about the architectural field. I am excited to continue my career as a CAD Drafter/Designer. I have been working part-time at a residential design company. I am an extremely self-motivated person who loves to be challenged. I also have a strong work ethic, am reliable and honest. I am looking forward to sharing my strengths and talents with the architectural industry.

• 8 months industry drafting experience
• Management & Training experience
• Customer relations experience
• Willing to relocate.

ANDREW SROGA
With graduation right around the corner, I am becoming more and more excited to utilize the skills that NTI has provided me. I am looking forward to obtaining a challenging and rewarding career in the Architectural Drafting and Design field. For the past seven months I have been drafting part-time at a landscaping design firm. The knowledge I have gained from my education and my industry drafting experience has prepared me for a promising career and I hope to be a valuable addition to your company.

• AutoCAD 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007
• Residential and Commercial Drafting
• Field Documentation & Site Measurements
• Space Planning & Building Codes
• 7 months industry drafting experience
• 3D Modeling experience

FERNANDO VORASANE
As a graduate of NTI, I am thrilled to start my career as an Architectural Drafter. I look forward to contributing the specialized and practiced skills NTI has taught me. I am interested in a full-time CAD drafting position at a company that is full of challenges and has the opportunity for advancement, based on my work ethic and knowledge of the field. I am a very motivated and hardworking individual, who is reliable and focused on getting the job done correctly and on time. I have a strong emphasis on detail and I love to learn.

• 1 year Construction Trades
• 3 years manual drafting and CAD
• AutoCAD 2002, 2005 & 2006
• ACCESS, EXCEL, PowerPoint and Word
• 1 year Cisco
• Design and Space Planning
• Residential & Commercial Drafting

I would like to share with you a wonderful opportunity to sell your talents: http://www.efoliominnesota.com. This is a FREE site. I use it and have seen many people use it successfully to advertise themselves.

You can see mine at http://amynelson.efoliomn2.com/ and other samples at http://www.efoliominnesota.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={7CFE95C5-E286-460D-9DBE-2CE5E0505019}

It is very easy to use. Many teachers are using it as a vehicle for students to share their works, document their learning, and sell themselves to employers. Many educators are using to to tell their stories to future and current students. But, the number one purpose is to get a job.

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