Career Guidance

The admissions staff is dedicated to helping students choose the best training program among the options available at Lake Area Tech. Program visits and tours are available any weekday.

Library | Educational Services Center

The Leonard H. Timmerman Library is located in the center of the library/classroom building #2.  Enter door 2A from the outside.

The library provides students and staff with access to a variety of physical and electronic resources. The library's collection includes various online databases, books, reference materials, magazines, journals, and newspapers. In addition, the Timmerman Library website is a user-friendly site that puts an abundance of information at students' fingertips. The website helps students with research-based tasks such as locating information, using library resources, and citing sources. The library website links students to a number of electronic databases, through which they can locate full-text periodical articles, online books, and online reference materials.

All LATI students also  have access to the resources and interlibrary loan services of the Watertown Regional Library, located just a few blocks from campus.

Full-time staff is available to assist students with their research needs. Other services available in the library include computer access, wireless internet access, printers, photocopier, and scanner. Library hours are 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Summer and holiday hours will vary.

Educational Services Center

The center, located in the Timmerman Library, is open eight hours daily to assist students with academic concerns and study skill improvement. Students may be referred to the center or may make use of the services offered on their own. Certified instructors are available for tutoring, or students may request peer tutoring in specific areas. An area that can be reserved for study groups is also available.

Student Assistance Program

Information on preventing drug and alcohol abuse will be presented to all students during the school year. Specific referrals for drug and alcohol-related issues will be made by on-campus counselors. Referrals are directed to NESD Alcohol and Drug Prevention Resource Center when deemed necessary.
 

Bookstore

The Lake Area Tech Bookstore stocks all program textbooks and supplies and most uniforms and tools required at Lake Area Tech. Clothing and gift items are also available. In addition, the bookstore sells stamps and cashes student checks.

Student Identification Cards

A student identification card is issued to students that entitles them to attend and participate in events sponsored by Student Services and the Student Association. If a student desires to utilize the campus cash system, the ID Card will be activated once a deposit has been made. The card is also used for admittance into the Watertown Community Recreation Center.

Food Service and Student Center

The food service facility, located in the Student Center, serves a wide variety of meals and snacks from 6:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. The Student Center is available for studying or socializing and is also utilized for student activities.

Lake Area Tech Children's Educare Center

The center provides daycare/preschool for the children of Lake Area Tech students. Admission to the daycare/preschool center may be limited by capacity in certain age groups. A fee is charged for these services. Contact the Children's Educare Center at 882-5284 ext 440 for more information.

Counseling

Personal counseling is available from the two counselors on staff, whose offices are located in the administrative area and the Educational Services Center. These services are kept confidential. Many situations can be handled on-campus, but occasionally students may be referred to another agency in the community more suited to their needs.

Equity Project

Males and females enrolled in programs that are nontraditional for their gender may be eligible for scholarships and/or stipends. Check with LATI's counseling staff regarding the Equity Project.

Car Pool Information

Many Lake Area Tech students commute to the campus. The Housing Coordinator keeps a record of the car pools available so commuting students can coordinate rides whenever possible.

Some LATI programs require internships/fieldwork which may shorten your stay on campus. Keep this in mind when signing a lease.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid Office personnel are available to assist students in understanding the wide variety of financial aid available. They will be glad to explain which benefits students are eligible for, and they are available to answer questions when applying for financial aid. There are no age limitations on who can qualify for such aid.

School Nurse

A school nurse is available to consult with students about health problems and refer them to the appropriate health care provider in the community. A communicable disease policy has been adopted by the Watertown School District. A complete description of this policy is available in the Business Manager's Office.

Special Facilities for Disabled Students

Lake Area Tech is recognized as having educational facilities that are accessible to the disabled with mobility impairments. A wheelchair entrance is located at Door 2A near the library and the front entrance of the Technical Education Center. Lake Area Tech complies with the 1973 guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

Student Employment 

Local employers eagerly await the start of classes to help fill their part-time employment needs. The Career Center Coordinator assists students looking for part-time jobs to access the openings they qualify for and that fit their schedules. Students work in many industries throughout the area, including retail sales, farm work, manufacturing, nursing homes, delivery, warehouses, restaurants and motels, and fast food establishments.

Students can register with the Career Center before they come to campus by clicking on https://sdworks.state.sd.us/pls/works/works_ss.main. Or they can register in person after they arrive at school. The Lake Area Tech Career Center is a satellite office of the SD Department of Labor's Career Center System and has full access to all jobs listed statewide.

Students have the most success securing part-time employment, if they can work about 20 hours per week and are available at least some weekends.

Work-study jobs are available to students who have been awarded College Work-Study as part of their financial aid package. Most work-study positions are on-campus and involve 10 hours per week or less. Some students choose to hold both a part-time job and a work-study job; others find that their schedules allow only one or the other.

Placement

It is the policy of Lake Area Tech to fully assist its graduates in finding suitable and profitable employment. Placement of graduating students is administered through the Career Center, in cooperation with program instructors. 

The Career Center Coordinator receives hundreds of calls year-round from employers who list openings.  Many companies send recruiters or make arrangements for company tours to acquaint students with their opportunities.

The Career Center Coordinator has access to all jobs listed with the South Dakota Department of Labor's Career Center System.  Students are encouraged to use the Center any time they are looking for work, either part-time while in school, or full-time after graduation.

Insurance

Students attending Lake Area Technical Institute are expected to obtain medical insurance coverage. The school provides no insurance coverage. Student coverage through a private insurance company is made available for those who wish to apply. Please inquire in the front office.

Institutional Liability

Lake Area Technical Institute disclaims liability of any kind of injury or illness of any student as a result of participation in intramural sports, field trips, shop or laboratory work or classroom activities. Every reasonable effort is made to provide safe conditions for these activities.

Religious Activities

The local churches in Watertown have a primary objective to stimulate the moral and spiritual values of students attending Lake Area Technical Institute. There is active cooperation between the churches and the school. A Campus Crusaders for Christ organization is also available to all students.

Students Right to Know and Campus Security Act

In compliance with the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, Lake Area Technical Institute has made available upon request, statistics of criminal offenses that have occurred on campus and the policies and procedures for reporting a criminal action. This information is listed in the Student Handbook.