1. Emily Clifton
Education & Employment Advisor

2. What is RITA?
RITA stands for Rural Information Technology Alliance. In October 2013, PTCC was awarded a Round 3 TAACCCT grant from the Department of Labor. Pine Technical and Community College, along with 3 other colleges, proposed the grant to provide new opportunities for their rural communities in Information Technology. The goals of the grant are to develop & revise programs of study in Information Technology, acquire state-of-the-art technology systems, and train students for today’s hot careers in Information Technology.

3. Why consider a career in IT?
The industry keeps growing, despite the economy, at a rate that is much faster than average
Short term training (2 years or less) needed for entry-level jobs
Fast paced & exciting jobs that change daily
Did you know? Ten of eleven IT-related occupations in Minnesota have an average wage of over $30 per hour!

4. IT Programs of Study at PTCC
Network and Microcomputer Technology Cert.
Network Administration AAS Degree
Computer Programming AAS Degree
Computer Science AS Degree

5. Network Cert. & A.A.S. Degree
A networking degree prepares graduates to administer and manage complex Local Area Networks (LANs) as well as Wide Area Networks (WANs) in multiple environments. Students will learn to administer, design, install, configure, connect, plan and maintain networks.

6. Cyber Security Diploma & AAS
Allows the student to focus on the protection and defense of networks from hackers and other intrusions.
Check out these real-time maps of cyber-security attacks happening worldwide!

7. Computer Programming A.A.S.
A programming degree prepares graduates to write and implement generic and customized programs to drive operating systems. Students will learn software design, low and high level languages, program writing, program customization & linking, prototype testing and troubleshooting.
Special Emphases Available:
Advanced Computer Programming
Mobile Application Development
Web Development

8. Computer Programming Emphasis
Allows the student to explore databases and data structures in depth

9. Mobile Application Emphasis
Allows the student to design user interfaces for mobile applications, specifically for the Android and IOS platforms.

10. Web Development Emphasis
Allows the student to design user interfaces for websites, manage their content, and deploy security measures.

11. Computer Science A.S. Degree
A computer science degree prepares graduates with a firm foundation of coursework and knowledge needed to transfer to a four year university and pursue a higher degree in a computer focused field of study. Students will learn principles & theory, hardware design, development and programming, and be able to apply them to a variety of end-use situations.
Transfer options are available-ask an advisor for specific information

12. Certifications are Available!
Certifications are industry recognized tests that prove a graduate’s ability in a specific area of expertise. Pine Technical & Community College will be a testing center. In many cases, having a certification can give you a “leg up” on the competition when applying for jobs. Some employers will also pay for you to take the tests, or give you more pay because you have the certification.
Microsoft
CISCO
CompTIA+
Certified Ethical Hacker

13. Services are Available!
Career Development Assessments
Personalized Education & Career Plans
Individualized Academic & Career Support
Help and encouragement throughout your program
Job Seeking Assistance, Internship & Employer Referrals
Cover Letter and Resume Development
Resources to Help You Succeed in Education & Life
Interviewing Techniques & Mock Interviewing

14. How do I get started?
Stop by the Strategic Initiatives Career Center (Room 47) and ask for Emily
Set up a personal appointment with Emily
her at
Call her at
Connect with her on Linked-In, Facebook & Twitter
* Special Note: If Emily is not available, ask for Sally or Michelle. They will also be able to assist you.

15. What do I have to do? Log onto: rita.pine.edu
Click if you are an applicant, go here.
Answer some demographic information
Tell Emily when you are finished & submit
Sign EEO & Tennessen Warning & get copies & business cards from Emily
* Special Note: If Emily is not available, ask for Sally or Michelle. They will also be able to assist you.

16. The Rural Information Technology Alliance is a four community college consortium involving Pine Technical and Community College, as well as Central Lakes College, Ridgewater College, and North Central Texas College, funded by the Department of Labor through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program. This product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership.

17. RitaConsortium.org