DJ Lanke – Alumni Profile

DJ Lanke, Watertown, SD
Physical Therapist Assistant, 2021

Why did you choose to attend Lake Area Tech? I chose LATC for its reputation as one of the top technical schools in the nation.

Where are you employed today? Big Stone Therapies – Watertown

When was the last time you visited campus? June 1, 2023

What was your favorite thing about Lake Area Tech? My instructors at LATC were great, and gave me a head start on what it takes to become a PTA.

What was the biggest lesson you learned at Lake Area Tech? The biggest lesson I learned from Lake Area Tech was that you do not have to attend a university to receive a great education.

What made you want to continue your education? I wanted to continue my education so that I could work in healthcare and make a difference in people’s lives.

What advice would you give a current Lake Area Tech student? Lake Area Tech has such a vast range of options to choose from that everyone should be able to receive an education in a career field that they are passionate about.

What makes you proud to be an Alumni of Lake Area Tech?  What makes me proud to be an Alumni of Lake Area Tech is that even though the school is located in a smaller city, people from across the country have heard of the school.

What advice can you give to Lake Area Tech students that will be entering the workforce? Advice I would give students entering the work force is to never stop learning or educating yourself in your career field. LATC does an amazing job of getting you started, but it is up to you to stay up to date and make yourself competitive in your profession.

*Note from Lake Area Tech:
We congratulate DJ on being named the South Dakota Physical Therapist Assistant of the Year by the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association in September 2023!