Two-year program leads directly to the workforce

Before enrolling in Dakota County Technical College’s Software Development program, Max Mallory built a career through hard work, adaptability, and service. He spent years working a variety of jobs, including seasonal wildland firefighting with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Oregon Department of Forestry. While those experiences taught him leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, he wanted a career that offered greater long-term stability and growth.

Location and reputation first drew Max to DCTC, but it was the support he received during the enrollment process and the practical nature of the program that convinced him to enroll. Unlike a traditional four-year university, DCTC offered hands-on technical training that would prepare him to enter the workforce in just two years.

Thomson Reuters Scholarship opens doors

His first semester brought an opportunity that would shape the rest of his college experience. Max was awarded the Thomson Reuters Scholarship through the DCTC Foundation. That support gave him confidence and opened doors to campus involvement he never expected.

“What I appreciated most about my student experience is that people saw me for what I could be, rather than focusing on where I was at the time,” Max said.

Encouraged by faculty and staff, Max became involved with Student Senate and eventually served as Student Senate President. Through those experiences, he developed leadership, project management, public speaking, and mentorship skills that continue to serve him today. More importantly, he found a community that challenged him to grow and helped him recognize his own potential.

Say “yes” to opportunity

Reflecting on his journey, Max believes that every experience has value and that students should embrace opportunities whenever they arise.

“Say yes to everything. Be the person with their hand up first when there is a call to action or opportunity at stake,” Max said.

Today, Max works as a Technology Engineer at Thomson Reuters, the same company that sponsored the scholarship he received as a DCTC student. He credits DCTC not only for preparing him technically, but for helping him build the confidence and professional skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

Max Q&A

What drew you to DCTC?

Growing up, I was always expected to attend a 4-year university right out of high school. This had conditioned me to avoid “community” colleges, even into adulthood. Going back to school never seemed like a possibility, because how am I going to drop everything in my life to spend $50k+ a year on schooling for 4 years? I would have struggled to keep health insurance without regular work or support myself to pay bills because the class schedules are not designed to work nicely with adult learners at some of the larger public and private institutions.

Despite this former bias, DCTC stood out because it was technical in nature. I knew that if I went here, I would leave in 2 years with real, hands-on training that would have me prepared to enter the workforce at least as well, if not more than I would have been studying mostly theoretical practices at a 4-year university.

Reflecting on your DCTC experience, what opportunities, relationships, or moments had the greatest impact on you?

My relationship with Student Life and Student Experience staff will hands-down be the most meaningful part of my time at DCTC. These are some of the kindest and most thoughtful people I have ever met. I have never seen such open doors for an entire population of people, and the programs they host are things I wish every school had an equivalent of. I went into the Student Life programs as someone who felt out of place and hidden; I left as someone who makes sure nobody around me ever feels like that.

What advice would you give current students who are working toward their own career aspirations?

Remember that every single one of your skills translates into your technical career. Whether it be communication, working with people, following procedures, etc. Working as an HVAC tech taught me about prioritizing individual jobs or tasks when I had a list of 20, becoming my own project manager. This directly translates to my Software Engineering career where I must keep track of my work and schedule my work in the same cadence that 100 others are scheduling theirs.

Working as a commercial glass installer taught me to ask for more when I was done with my current work. This behavior makes anyone a valuable asset to leaders who know they can depend you, be sure to bring them up on resumes and interviews when you are looking for your first jobs in your career field.

For more information on Software Development and all DCTC programs, contact:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266