Electrical Construction & Maintenance Tech major served as a USAFR loadmaster

Gretta Vieths, 29, is earning an A.A.S. in Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology at Dakota County Technical College with plans to graduate in May 2026. Gretta already has a college degree, having graduated from Inver Hills Community College in 2019 with an Associate of Arts (A.A.). She was serving as a loadmaster in the U.S. Air Force Reserve at the time.

“My main goal at Inver Hills was to complete all my generals and then transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree and become a commissioned officer and pilot in the U.S. Air Force,” Gretta said, noting that an epilepsy diagnosis forced her to abandon those plans. “My goal at DCTC is to get into the electrical workforce immediately after graduation. I’m unsure at this point what path in the industry I plan to take.”

Gretta served in the USAFR for six years, reaching the rank of senior airman (E-4). She deployed to Qatar and flew missions all over Southeast Asia. She received Aircraft Dispatch certification from Academy College in 2018 and worked for the Department of Defense as an airfield management shift lead at Fort Snelling for three years before arriving at DCTC.

“What I liked best about serving in the Air Force was the sense of purpose and endless opportunities it gave me,” she said. “From my time in the military, I gained a huge sense of self-accountability, maturity, work ethic, and problem-solving skills—all of which are helpful to excel as a college student.”

When asked what advice she would give someone thinking about joining the U.S. military, Gretta said, “View everything as an opportunity, not an entitlement. Opportunities are what you make of them and a good opportunity should never be passed up. You never want to find yourself regretting not taking an opportunity! Joining the military can be an intimidating and overwhelming life and career move, but it will likely unlock potential and capabilities you never knew you had.”

Non-Traditional Tech Club

A place to build belonging for those who don’t feel like they fit the traditional role in their industry.

Jessica Weaver

Gretta helped started a new student club at DCTC called the Non-Traditional Tech Club. She serves as the club’s president.

“Gretta truly will be inspirational in the role of club president,” said Jessica Weaver, an auto body collision technology instructor at the college and the new club’s faculty advisor. “She has so many wonderful ideas about what this club can transform into.

“I look forward to watching her succeed on her new career path, growing into a leadership role, and building a trusting community of support.”

DCTC News: What motivated you to help start this student club?

Gretta: I was introduced to Jess Weaver, who had the idea for the club and was scoping out student interest in the club idea. She also mentioned she would need someone to volunteer as the club president, so I volunteered thinking I could share some insight and ideas based on my experience as a female in many male-dominated jobs.

DCTC News: What are your duties as club president?

Gretta: My duties as club president will be to organize, promote, and lead club meetings, events, and activities while encouraging morale within the club and growing the club under its mission statement.

DCTC News: What are some of the club’s activities?

Gretta: As this club is so new, we only have ideas we would like to explore and expand. So far we would like to bring in guest speakers to share their insights on maintaining professionalism in the trade industries and implementing ways to overcome differences and difficulties in the workplace along with learning how to build skills such as problem-solving, workplace etiquette, and leadership.

We would also like to utilize the skills and strengths of all individuals who join the club to build a project of some sort. Other ideas include field trips and community volunteer activities.

More about Gretta…

Ryan and Gretta

Originally from Eagan, Minnesota, Gretta graduated from Eastview High School, Class of 2014. Her family includes her boyfriend, Ryan, who works as a heavy equipment operator for Luhman’s Construction, and their two dogs, Riley, 7, a pit bull mix, and Sioux, 13, a red Lab.

Riley and Sioux

Gretta’s parents live a few hours north of the Twin Cities; her father, Dan, is a technical writer for Beckman Coulter, and her mother, Laurie, is retired. Gretta has a brother, Karl, and sister-in-law, Emili, who live in Kansas, and a fraternal twin sister, Heidi, who lives near Blaine.

In her free time, Gretta enjoys many outdoor activities with family and friends such as riding motorcycles, spending time on the river during the summer months, visiting new places, boating, fishing, and going to concerts.

“My time spent at home is usually filled with chores, occasional sewing projects, playing piano, and house projects such as a recent deck remodel and refinishing furniture,” she said. “I have lots of goals to slowly renovate my house. I love hosting friends for dinner and card games or spending time with people around town at various events.”

Gretta resides with Ryan, Riley, and Sioux in Hastings, Minnesota.

Gretta Vieths life gallery

Gretta Vieths • Q & A

Gretta Vieths

What inspired you to enroll in the Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology program at DCTC?

In 2017, shortly after I returned home from deployment with the Air Force, I was diagnosed with epilepsy. At the time, I was working on my private pilot’s license to pursue my dream career of being a pilot, both for the Air Force and a civilian pilot. The diagnosis immediately squashed that dream as well as my Air Force career as a C-130 Loadmaster.

I then spent the next seven years working desk jobs mainly in the aviation industry trying to establish myself in a new career. After lots of frustration and disappointment, I decided to quit aviation altogether and start a new career from scratch doing something more hands-on and learning a skill that would also benefit me as a homeowner.

I decided on Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology because I envision endless opportunities as an electrician. It’s not a desk job—it’s something that will give me responsibility and therefore a purpose, and I knew it would give me the challenge I need in a career.

What do you enjoy most about the ECMT program so far?

The instructors. All the instructors I have had so far have been very personable, approachable, helpful, encouraging, patient, and honest.

Three words that describe you as a college student:
GROUNDED. COMMITTED. GRATEFUL.

What have you learned about electricity that you didn’t know before starting the program?

I knew very little about electricity before I started this program other than how to change a light fixture, so almost everything I’ve learned so far is new to me. I didn’t know the difference between AC and DC power other than what they stood for.

What are you looking forward to most after graduating from DCTC?

I’m looking forward to having a job that will keep me challenged and engaged. Then once I learn enough, I can’t wait to tackle all the electrical projects at my house!

What advice would you give military veterans about transitioning to college life?

College is just a steppingstone to get to where you ultimately want to go in life, but it should be taken just as seriously as a career. Just like in the military, it’s important to balance your priorities and also to advocate for yourself in regards to your own success.

Three words that describe you as a U.S. Air Force Reserve veteran:
DRIVEN. MINDFUL. ADVENTUROUS.

What person has influenced your life the most and why?

Probably my mom. While I have had so many mentors along various paths in my life, my mom has influenced me in how logical, frugal, humble, and hardworking she is. She grew up on a farm and learned from a young age that family, morals, and work ethic are important.

My mom is also the person who has supported me in everything I’ve done, encouraged me at my highest highs and been there for me during my lowest lows. She is the person who has let me gently fall in life so I could learn how to get myself back up and grow into an independent person.

I still talk to her almost every single day, even if it’s just to ask her how to make gravy from scratch, how to keep my flowers alive, or just to rant about how expensive groceries are. I think above all else, her positive attitude is the biggest lesson I’ve learned from my mom. A positive attitude keeps me humble, gets me through frustrating times, and increases my patience level.

If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?

Make summers in Minnesota last for nine months out of the year.

One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:

REWARDING

Gretta Vieths • 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Paddleboarding, swimming, weightlifting
2. Place you would most like to visit: Italy
3. Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Airdropping personnel from a Lockheed C-130 Hercules
4. Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Donate to the MikeRoweWorks Foundation 2) Build accessible homes for disabled and homeless veterans in need 3) Build my dream house
5. Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Yellowstone
6. Time period you would explore if you could time travel: The 1980s
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Build my dream home on a dream property
8. Your national bird if you were your own country: Probably an owl because they are self-motivated, problem solvers, and logical thinkers
9. Dream occupation: Lockheed C-130 Hercules pilot
10. Person you would most like to meet: Mike Rowe
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Patience
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Lack of awareness of what we are really consuming through food, water, soaps, clothing, pollutants

Learn more about the Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology (ECMT) program at DCTC by contacting:

Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110

More about Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology…

The Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology (ECMT) program at Dakota County Technical College gives you the hands-on experience you need to obtain an entry-level position in electrical construction, installation, operation and maintenance occupations.

The ECMT program delivers technical courses in electrical/electronics theory plus the installation, maintenance, wiring, and testing of electrical/electronic apparatus and control devices through the application of the National Electrical Code.

As a student in the ECMT program, you have the option of earning the 81-credit Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology A.A.S. degree or the 75-credit Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology diploma.

Working indoors and outdoors, electricians must be safety conscious at all times. They find work with electrical contractors,  technology system contractors and manufacturers of electrical equipment as well as registered employers that only perform electrical work in facilities they own or lease. Electricians can also succeed as small business owners.

Employment in this field typically requires successful completion of the Minnesota Electrical Licensing Exam.

Skills & Knowledge

Most Important Skills for Electricians

Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Installing equipment or programs
Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Thinking critically
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Controlling quality
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Coordinating with others
Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Monitoring performance
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Understanding how people learn
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Maintaining equipment
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Learning new things
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

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Electricians

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

Electrician is a Bright Outlook occupation and is expected to grow rapidly in the next several years.

Reported job titles

• Control Electrician
• Electrical Journey Person
• Electrical Troubleshooter
• Electrician
• Housing Maintenance Electrician
• Industrial Electrician
• Inside Wireman
• Maintenance Electrician
• Paper Mill Electrician
• Wireman

WAGES

Minnesota (annual)

Workers on average earn $78,050
10 percent of workers earn $46,950 or less
10 percent of workers earn $109,470 or more

United States (annual)

Workers on average earn $61,590
10 percent of workers earn $38,470 or less
10 percent of workers earn $104,180 or more

2023 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Trends: Minnesota

Employment(2020): 10,250 employees employees
Projected employment (2030): 11,080 employees
Projected growth (2020–2030): 8%
Projected annual job openings (2020–2030): 1,180

Occupational Trends: United States

Employment (2023): 779,800 employees
Projected employment (2033): 864,100 employees
Projected growth (2023–2033): 11 percent: Much faster than average
Projected annual job openings(2023–2033): 80,200

Visit O*NET OnLine for comprehensive information about the occupation: Electricians

SOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Electricians