“I started out as a construction worker but I wanted to move forward; I had a desire to improve myself. I tried taking classes at other colleges but they didn’t seem to care as much whether all the students grasped the material. Ivy Tech was different. In the first place, it was hands-on experience; you learned by actually performing the tasks. The instructors stuck close, making sure we understood the lessons completely. I was an inspector with the city (Fort Wayne) by then, but I knew that to land the engineer’s job would take a two-year degree. It took a while, but you have to take courses whenever you can, even if you aren’t able to go full time. Now I’m Project Engineer for all street, water and sewer design and repair for the city. We’re currently working on the complete design for a walk-and-bike trail also. I’m overseeing the design, bidding, planning and management of contractors. I enjoys my job, and Ivy Tech helped me get there.“

Gary Ainslie,
Construction Technology, ‘00
Project Engineer, City of Fort Wayne