Students now using new, upgraded student e-mail system

Just last week, the PTC Information Technology department moved all student e-mail service to a Microsoft-hosted provider that now allows students to do much more with their student e-mail accounts than ever before. New services include document sharing, calendaring, secure online storage, the ability to send and recieve large (20 MB) attachments, improved spam and virus filtering, folders to organize messages and more.

"Microsoft offers colleges this service at no additional cost, and the service includes hosted exchange e-mail, 25 gigabytes of file storage through Skydrive and an online version of Microsoft office," says Ken Ries, Director of Information Technology. "This hosted solution provides students with more storage and additional tools that were not available with our previous e-mail system. We aren't able to offer the same level of service locally, and certainly not for free," Ries adds.

The new PTC student e-mail address format is: user@go.pinetech.edu. Existing mail has been migrated to the hosted solution for all returning students, and mailing lists, address books and other services continue to function. To activate the new format, students should log in on campus and initiate their newly formatted "go" acounts. Try it -- log in!

Student Affairs staff committed to "top-notch" student service

Photo above: Student Affairs staff members gather for a group photo. Back row (L to R) -- Amanda Spencer, Erin White, Robert Baker, Dani Chandonnet. Middle row (L to R) -- Shawn Reynolds, Nancy Johnson, Gloria Baker, Jodie Klinkhammer. Front row (L to R) -- Kathy Arola, Nancy Mach, Dawn DeRocker.

In the first week of the Fall, 2010 semester and in the weeks leading up to it, the Student Affairs office has been busier than ever! The department administered 16 sessions of placement testing, hosted six more-than-full sessions of Orientation, and now the department is assigning lockers, parking passes and book vouchers. The last three items are being made available in the main hall at the college's front entrance.

"These are items students need to address right away, and we will have the information in the main hall during the first few days of the semester," says Nancy Mach, Dean of Student Affairs. "To provide these items and answers students need right up front is one way we are able to provide top-notch student service," Mach explains.

The Student Affairs staff affectionately calls the setup in the hall the "One-Stop Shop" or OSS. The OSS was set up Mon. Aug. 16, the week prior to the first week of classes, and in its first week served about 125 students.


Photo above: Student Affairs staff member Jodie Klinkhammer assists a student at the One-Stop Shop.


Photo above: Student Affairs staff member Dawn DeRocker assists a student at the One-Stop Shop.

Financial Advisor Education & Training Programs Services

Financial advisor are the titles referred and called for the broker, accountant executive, stock broker or some registered representative. Recent time depicts the pacing development that has opened the way for various new fields for services assistance and makes the routine task handling for the service seekers simpler. These service providers designations are much more useful those stay unaware of market and want to deal a fair investment. Generally these service providers are known for dealing with bonds and shares, means buying and selling on behalf of client that makes the both the parties have efficient earning.

Financial advisor education and training programs services are for financial executive or registered representative that can experience providing service for the busying and selling for the shares and appropriately settling up the investment desired by the client. The entire education program is connected with series of education programs that avails the professionally perfect approach for the term financial advisor. Initially the Financial management education and financial management certificate involves the education degree for 4 years that covers the major areas and basics regarding financial advisory that can create a better perception for the financial aspects to deal at professional front.

Financial Advisor education and financial management classes and training programs involves the basic criteria of attaining a graduation degree, fair knowledge of system operating as recent times deal with online services as well and also a bit of idea for the software applications used for the Financial Advisor designation.

Various fields are introduced for the bachelors degree as well as: Bachelors degree in finance, economic and business that avails the wide field for development. Many education programs are held online to develop a better perception but to select the finest of education service can only be beneficial. As what matters today is professionalism and expertise that can be acquired via the dedicated professional Financial Advisor education and training program services.

Certain internship and training periods are also made available that marks up the while period of experience with the completion of education programs that is an add-on. Making the perfect out of the financial advisor program it is highly required to select the finest of education program so as to cover all the desired aspects for the education program and go on roll with best deal. After having the bachelors degree and appropriate job experience that makes you a sound financial consultant avails you with more benefits.

Major aspect that assures the reliability and popularity of financial consultant services and financial advisor training programs is license and certification. It is the most essential aspect that makes the entire system working and validates a professional perspective and seriousness of profile. This avails the finest of opportunity to excel in the field of financial consultant services and financial advisory. Become a successful financial advisor or consultant via the professional and expert financial education and training program services that opens the door of success and advancement for the education and leading business finances handling prospects. What one could urge better than this! So end the awaited time frame and make the finest of fi0nancial education services lead you to the desired targets of your life for advancement and job earnings at higher prospects.

PTC welcomes new staff and faculty members

With the start of another academic year (Fall 2010 officially kicks off Aug. 23!), and with a remarkable increase in enrollment, PTC has added many new sections of courses, instructors and support staff. Among the many new faces on campus are these newest Pines (in alphabetical order):

• Melissa Bruce, Child Care Resource and Referral Assistant
• Sandra Carlisle, Executive Assistant to the President
• Steve Cody, Microcomputer Support Specialist
• Roberta Cummings, College Lab Assistant
• Mary Beth Frandsen, English instructor
• Tony Gantenbein, Employment and Training Center Director
• Patricia Gerhardson, College Lab Assistant
• Darla Hoaglund McCann, Reading instructor
• Krista Hoekstra, Director of Nursing
• Tony Mueller, Computer Science Instructor
• Valerie Raiter, Employment and Training Center Media Coordinator
• Keven Wanless, College Lab Assistant
• Joy Zasadny, Biology Instructor

Photo above, clockwise from top left: Melissa Bruce, Tony Gantenbein, Roberta Cummings, Sandra Carlisle.

Advancing Careers With Online Education and Distance Learning Programs

Do you feel stifled in your current career? Are you stuck in a rut and find yourself unable to move up the corporate ladder? Are you looking for better job prospects and a higher salary? Do you believe that having only an undergraduate degree is preventing you from accomplishing your career goals? Then, maybe its time to look at the best possible solution to your professional problems! The answer lies in online learning and what it can offer you in terms of career advancement.

Now, you might think that you are just too busy to resume your education. Juggling your job along with responsibilities at home may be preventing you from enrolling for that college course you have been toying with. Or taking time off from work to complete your education may just not be an option in today's competitive market. It is in situations like these that an online degree program becomes an ideal solution.

No doubt, earning a living is important, but nowadays this does not necessarily imply giving up your dream of a higher education. You can attend college after work with an online education school.

Online education is growing fast with many schools offering online degrees. Many colleges now offer courses and methods of studying that are easier and more enjoyable. You will receive the same quality education and degree as attending a campus. The difference is that your online degree is earned from home in your own time.

There are so many options when it comes to an online degree. You can choose from an Associate, Bachelor's and even a Master's degree. But the biggest plus point in favor of online education is the convenience. There are no set times and class schedules and you can work faster or slower depending on the pace you require.

You can complete your degree in lesser timeframe, which allows you to re-enter the work arena in a shorter time frame than with a traditional college program. You can attend class whenever you have the time and without having to commute or spend on gas or public transport. All that you require is a computer with an Internet connection to access all your course information online. A good program will promote communication between lecturers and other fellow students through email, forums, message boards and chat rooms. For those on a budget, most online programs offer flexible payments and are, as a rule, less expensive than a normal school program. Financial aid is also available for online education, so check out your options before registering.

Therefore, the highlights of online education are:
- A school that is open round the clock
- No traveling or commuting fees
- Less expensive course fees
- Study at your own convenience
- Access to the curriculum and course material is always available

In terms of today's shaky economy, you might be struggling to hold onto your job and stay afloat. It's in such situations that you need to boost your job skills and optimize your resume by adding new up-to-date skills through the variety of online degree programs available. Regardless of what you are interested in, the odds are that you will be able to find an online degree that meets your needs. Another benefit of choosing long distance education is that you are not limited by the programs offered by the schools around you. You can choose a program, no matter how obscure the field, rather than settling for programs available only through your local college or university.

In many careers, promotions are limited for individuals who do not have degrees. Working professionals should choose an online degree program to get out of a dead-end job. Choose a program that offers training that will benefit you with your career goals as well.

At the end of the day though, online programs are not an easy option. All said and done, completing any online degree program requires commitment and determination. You need discipline to stay on track but when you finally graduate, you will reap the benefits of online education that make all the difference to your career ... and your life.

PTC Mercedes Excalibur gains mileage

In 2008, David Christensen of Pine City donated a pearl white Mercedes Excalibur, a "kit car," to the Pine Technical College Foundation. The car, actually a 1979 Chevrolet Camaro under its flashy exterior, is used in parades to promote the college. Most recently, it was seen in the July 17 Chisago County Fair parade and again in the Aug. 7 Pine County Fair parade.

"It was very generous of the Christensen family to give this kind of gift to the college," PTC President Robert Musgrove said. "It certainly draws a lot of attention to the college at public events, and that is precisely our intent!" Musgrove added.


Photo: The PTC car makes an appearance in the Pine County Fair parade.

Online Education: Better Quality Education

The emergence of the latest technologies such as the computer and the Internet has been relatively recent. As millions of working people are too busy each day, these technologies are a good help in doing workloads faster and easier. This is also a good source of earning a higher education especially for working-aged people who need extra education and skill-sharpening to compete with the demands in skilled and knowledgeable workforce. This system of education is called online education or distance learning. Technology-based education and training we have today is the option of many adults furthering their education over traditional methods of instruction. Although traditional method of instruction is very effective to many, it could be inconvenient to others because it consumes more time, usually expensive and limited in subject matter.

It is a great thing that technology continues to improve. A college degree that used to be expensive and inaccessible could now be achieved in an accessible and less expensive way. That is why more and more students are being attracted to online education in earning a college degree that could help improve their working performances. There is no question about the quality of education they provide to each students because online degrees are in the same level of standards and position they could acquire through regular campuses. The difference between the two mode of learning is that, in online education classes you can attend a course at any time and anywhere you want. This means that working parents and students can attend to their responsibilities at home and other official commitments, then sit down to class. People who usually travels for pleasure or business can attend class from any place in the world as long as there is a service of an Internet. It is really designed for working adults but today people in all ages prefer distance learning over traditional way of attaining quality education.

No matter how convenient online education to students, they could not graduate in any of the online degree course if they do not develop self-discipline and commitment. The continuous study and time management needs to be undertaken in order to succeed in achieving your goals. Students here are the important stakeholders of learning. They are given the opportunity of acquiring knowledge and enhance their skills in their own pace while gaining professional experiences at the same time. It is more focused on providing students the activities that shift the control of learning activities from the instructor to the student. It simply shows that online education could provide people the better quality of education.

Indeed, it is really a good means of advancing your career that will lead you a successful life. Because employers now give importance to career-oriented individuals who are very willing to learn more for the better opportunities that may come their way. Undergoing an advanced knowledge and skill depending on your area of interest is a wise decision you could have. And as an online student, it is important that you should know the skills in using those technologies, the competencies and the eight attitude towards learning online.

Congressman Oberstar to visit PTC for Small Business Day

On Mon. Aug. 9, Pine Technical College will host Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District Small Business Day: Connecting Businesses with Opportunities. The event begins with registration at 8 a.m., and Congressman James Oberstar (D-Minn) will speak at 8:30 a.m.

Presented by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Oberstar, the event’s purpose is to connect small businesses with federal, state and local government contracting opportunities while educating small business owners regarding resources available to help their businesses grow. Following Oberstar’s opening remarks, event attendees will have the opportunity to meet representatives from the federal government, various state agencies and small business resource centers. In addition to informational exhibits, DOT and the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will present two bonus workshops, Access to Capital and How to Contract with the Government.

“PTC is happy to host this event with a focus on improving the health of local business and industry,” said PTC President Robert Musgrove. “As a technical college, we understand our role in providing skilled graduates to Pine Area businesses and industries. This event is all about supporting the local economy and industries, and therefore closely aligned with PTC’s mission,” Musgrove added.

PTC is working alongside the DOT in organizing the event. In addition to Oberstar, speakers will include representatives from the DOT’s federal and state offices and the Small Business Administration. Event attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers and participate in a networking session with federal and state agencies.

Agencies invited to participate:

• U.S. Department of Transportation
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Minnesota Department of Transportation (HDOT)
• Minnesota Procurement Technical Assistance Center
• Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
• The Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota
• Minnesota Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• The Associated General Contractors of Minnesota (AGC)
• The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
• The Women’s Business Development Center – Minnesota (WBDC-MN)
• Association of Women Contractors
• Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity
• Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce
• St. Paul Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity
• Spring Board Economic Development Corporation
• Turtle Island PTAC

For more information, call 320-629-5100.