2022 Architectural Technology grad pursuing career in construction
Caleb Voight, 21, graduated from Dakota County Technical College in May 2022 with an Architectural Technology A.A.S. and a 4.0 GPA. Caleb is applying the knowledge and skills he gained at DCTC in his job as a CAD drafter at DJ Medin Architects in Faribault, Minnesota. He also works in the construction and landscaping fields at two family businesses, Voight Home Improvements Inc. and A-Team Landscaping, both located in Northfield, Minnesota.
Along with his carpentry and building skill set, Caleb brings his architectural tech design know-how to the family businesses. He is proficient on AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, SketchUp, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign.
Caleb isn’t planning on advancing his education in the near future. “I would consider going back to get my bachelor’s or master’s in architecture, but I don’t want to go into debt for it,” he said, noting that he’s looking forward to doing more construction work for his dad—he started that job in 2017—and working at the architecture firm. “I hope to own my own firm one day.”
Faculty perspective: Anne Painter
Anne Painter
Caleb is a thoughtful design student who ruminates about every project. His fellow students enjoyed having him in groups because of his ability to listen to everyone and combine ideas with intention.
Caleb is fun to have in class, always bringing a positive attitude with him. I truly believe that he will be successful in any area he pursues.
Anne Painter Architectural Technology Faculty Dakota County Technical College
Staff perspective: Anna Voight
Anna and Caleb
I am so proud of Caleb for completing his degree at DCTC and subsequently applying what he learned in his program to design and build his own house.
Hearing Caleb share how he incorporated universal design principles in his house plan with others in the construction industry has a highlight for me to witness, as universal design is such a core component in accessibility.
Anna Voight Caleb’s Aunt Associate Director of Student Life Dakota County Technical College
More about Caleb…
Caleb Voight
Originally from Northfield, Caleb graduated from Northfield High School, Class of 2020. He was captain of the Northfield Raiders varsity football team and played wide-receiver. He also ran hurdles in track and was a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) during his junior and senior years.
He participated in Phi Theta Kappa and TRIO Student Support Services at DCTC and received two scholarships, a Workforce Development Scholarship and a Kopp Family Foundation Scholarship. He also completed an internship as a CAD drafter at New Hudson Facades in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
“I used Inventor to model parts and design part drawings,” he said about his time at New Hudson. “I used AutoCAD to create sections and elevations for a building project in Colorado.”
Caleb worked 20–25 hours a week as a certified forklift operator at Menards Dundas while attending DCTC.
In his free time, Caleb enjoys playing football, baseball, disc golf, and Church League softball. His other hobbies include weightlifting, fishing, and hunting. Caleb resides in the home he designed and built in Dennison, Minnesota. His brother, Josh, 19 , an accounting major who plays college football, lives with him during the summer months.
Caleb life and family gallery
Special section Caleb designed and built his own home in Dennison, Minnesota
What inspired you to design and build your own home?
My dad built his own house when he was my age, and there are not many people who are in my position to do this sort of thing. I knew that I had to take advantage of the opportunity. I also want to make the right decisions for a future family, and I felt this was one.
What style of architecture did you choose and why?
It’s a single-story rambler built alongside a hill, so it has a walkout basement. I went with a craftsman look with my trim package because of how classy the look looks.
What was the best part of the design and building process?
How fortunate I am to have great friends and family. There were several occasions when I needed more help, and people were willing and able to show up without question, and they didn’t expect me to pay them. For that, I am eternally grateful.
What were the biggest challenges you encountered?
The biggest challenge and hardest decision I had to make was, as funny as it sounds, was picking out wall paint for the inside. I think it was the fact that I just didn’t care, but I had to make the decision anyway because I was the only one making decisions on the style the whole way through.
What advice would you give folks thinking about designing and building their own homes?
It’s not as hard as it seems. You just need to know the steps and spend time in the field before diving in yourself. Surround yourself with people that encourage you and can help you along the way.
Dennison home gallery
Caleb Voight • Q & A
Caleb Voight
What motivated you to enroll in the Architectural Technology program at DCTC?
I wanted an added skill to my background in construction. What I learned allows me to design a project and then do the actual work for a customer.
How did your education at DCTC help you advance your career in the construction field?
My education allowed me the chance to work part-time at a firm in Faribault and design projects for my dad’s business, as well as doing some of my own side work for other people.
What did you enjoy most about the Architectural Technology program?
The thing I enjoyed the most was how much the teachers actually cared about our success. I very much enjoyed having Leah Greuel and Anne Painter as mentors to me and helping me launch into the early success I have had so far, and I know that if I ever need anything else from them that they are willing to help me if they can.
What do you like best about your work as a CAD drafter?
To me, it’s like a whole new language where you can learn bits and pieces of the language from other people, but in the end, most everyone has a different style on how they present their work.
Three words that describe you as a construction professional:
WILLINGNESS. TO. LEARN.
What key skills and knowledge do you need to excel in the construction industry?
You need a willingness to learn, be punctual, and be happy to be there. The experience will come with time.
What advice would you give students thinking about entering the construction field?
The demand is very high with a small supply of people who desire to go into the construction field. It is one of the best times to get into it.
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
My dad. He has taught me everything I know about construction and how well you can do in this field.
Where do you hope to find yourself in 20 years?
I hope to have my own family, be living in the country, and own my own firm or construction business.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
SUCCESS
Caleb Voight • 12 Answers
Favorite sport or physical activity: Football
Place you would most like to visit: Iceland
Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Build my own house
Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Invest it 2) Give it 3) Travel the world
Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Top Gun: Maverick
Time period (past or future) you would explore if you could time travel: Year 3023
One thing you most want to accomplish in your life: Become a grandpa
Your national bird if you were your own country: Brown-headed cowbird
Dream occupation: Licensed architect
Person you would most like to meet: Peyton Manning
Skill you would most like to learn and master: Typewriting
Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Poverty
The 60-credit Architectural Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree prepares you to work in architecture- and construction-related fields. You will get training on the latest computer-aided design (CAD), REVIT building information modeling (BIM), and 3D visualization software.
As a student in the program, you will develop drawings for residential and commercial buildings in a hands-on environment patterned after the most up-to-date architectural offices. Realistic architectural projects provide an excellent mix of technical training and creative problem-solving, including effectively incorporating sustainability and green building principles.
All students in the program are provided with a laptop—an associated fee is charged each semester for software and hardware costs. The laptop comes equipped with all the software (including ongoing updates) you’ll need for the program. The curriculum stays current with professional trends and industry standards. After you successfully complete all four semesters, you may keep the laptop as your own.
The 12-credit Drafting certificate is offered as a way for PSEO students to begin working toward a degree while still attending high school. The certificate is also beneficial for industry professionals seeking to update their drafting skills to current industry software standards. This certificate is not eligible for financial aid.
All students must have access to a Windows PC that is compatible with the most up-to-date requirements for both Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit. Current system requirements for this computer can be found on the Autodesk website.
Create computerized drawings of building features to support architectural projects.
WAGE
This career pays above the statewide median of $24.45/hour
Minnesota
Median: $30.87/hour
High: $36.84/hour
Seven-county Twin Cities metro
Median: $31.57/hour
High: $38.75/hour
OUTLOOK
In Minnesota, there are 1,720 workers employed in this small career, which is currently in moderate demand.
There will be a need for about 1,705 new Architectural and Civil Drafters to meet market demand between 2020–2030. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
He participated in Phi Theta Kappa and TRIO Student Support Services at DCTC and received two scholarships, a Workforce Development Scholarship and a Kopp Family Foundation Scholarship. He also completed an internship as a CAD drafter at New Hudson Facades in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Place you would most like to visit: Iceland
Your national bird if you were your own country: Brown-headed cowbird
