School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Student Experiences
No matter where these current or former students are in the process of reaching their goals, we salute them. They have dared to turn dreams into reality through education in the School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology. Could you be next?
Erick Flores-Ortega
CADD Student and STEM Ambassador
“Within different clubs like STEM, you find opportunities that could lead to a job or just a friendly face to talk about shared experiences. Having that community helps.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Mike Walker
Supervisor of Mechanical Design
Continental Electronics Corp.
“You should never stop learning in today’s world. If you do, you get left behind like the dinosaurs. Once you have knowledge, though, no one can take it away from you. The most important thing I learned is how to have the tools you need in today’s workforce.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Mike Reinhardt
Full-Time Student and Future Underwater Welder
“The instructors in the program are really great and take time to help me when I need it. I want to take every welding course I can to get the experience I’ll need for my future career: I plan to become an underwater welder and am looking at schools where I can transfer and get that specialty.”
Welding
Paul Mears
Welding Artist and Business Owner
Iron Art of La Jolla, Calif.
“Welding is so much fun — it’s dangerous and exciting. Dewayne Roy is one of the best instructors you could ever want. He’s not only knowledgeable in the field, but is so upbeat and willing to show you everything he can.”
Welding
Rodney Taylor
Management Coordinator
Prevost, a division of Volvo Group;
Adjunct Faculty
Diesel Maintenance Technician Program
“The labs I worked in at Dallas College had all of the latest equipment, and that’s what I learned on. I think that my advanced training is part of what helped me move up the career ladder; I just knew a lot more than most of my peers because of my training.”
Automotive Technology
Rodney Hinkle
Service Technician, Kawasaki City
“I felt it would be to my benefit to take the marine course offered at Cedar Valley since I enjoyed being around the outdoors and water as well. After completing the course, I received a certificate on Evinrude/Johnson outboard engines. I was able to get a job quickly at the marina Texas Hydro Sports, where I repaired personal watercraft for 10 years and also attended Sea-Doo courses that allowed me to become certified in Sea-Doo repair.”
Automotive Technology
Ronnie Sunker
Service Manager, American Eagle Harley-Davidson
“I recommend their program all the time. It’s a very detailed program, with one-on-one instruction, and it provides a far better education than most places.”
Automotive Technology
Matt Mitchell
Co-Owner
James Andrews Custom Homes,
Realtor,
Manufacturer’s Rep
Vantem Panels
“This program is giving me lots of practical skills. These instructors have been in the business a long time, and they have a lot of practical information to share.”
Construction Management
Marques G. Washington
CADD Program Coordinator and Faculty
“Mike Kirkpatrick was one of my favorite professors, and my favorite CADD class was 3-D modeling. Now I’m the CADD program coordinator and a faculty member. What I love about my job is helping students who start out not being able to draw anything, then go on to four-year universities or get good jobs.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Suzanne Weber
CAD Technician
Teague Nall & Perkins
“When I took a job doing office work for an engineer, I tried my hand at CAD and enjoyed it enough to take a course in it. It was possible with Dallas College because the courses were at night and mostly done through the workshop experience, where they can be done any time you have time.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Spencer Lindstedt
Contract-Term Pipefitter
“One thing I’ve appreciated learning in the program is the gas tungsten arc welding process; it’s something that’s used widely in the industry but that I’ve had little experience with. I’ve also learned more about stick welding, which I hadn’t done in 10 years — it’s another technique that’s widely used in the process piping industry.”
Welding
Troy West
Full-Time Student
“Welding is a good trade that’s always going to be in demand. Carpenters, masons and metal workers are trade workers that should be around until the end of time. Welding is a skill set where you can always make a good amount of money, and there will always be a job for you.”
Welding
Keri L. Manuel
Project Planner
AGC-Ausgroup
Australia
“The classes Dallas College offers in its Construction Management program give the student practical, usable information that one can apply in the workplace.”
Construction Management
Leonardo Figueroa
Pipefitter
Refrigeration Design Technology
“The program was excellent, and I learned a lot. For instance, I had absolutely no knowledge of electrical systems, and now I feel pretty comfortable with them. My instructors really pushed me. It’s a program I’ve already recommended to several people.”
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology
Karlo Celestino
Electronics/Mechatronics Student
“Mechatronics is a great area because so many mechanical things go wrong, and it’s not that hard to learn how to fix them. Everything breaks down, and you always need people to fix them.”
Mechatronics
Judy Gregory
Potter and Welding Hobbyist
“One of my lifelong dreams has been to incorporate welding into my other artistic media. I like the balance of intellectual and creative skills; both are challenged. It doesn’t matter where you are in life, welding is something you can do young or old.”
Welding
Juan Fuentes
Owner
Dream Trim remodeling subcontractors
“I decided to start welding because I was building more and more stairs in my remodeling business, and wooden stairs need metal rails and balusters. I need to know the right techniques along with the safety aspects of installing all those.”
Welding
José Delgado
Hopeful future mechanical engineer
“My experience at Richland has been really good, and I’ve learned a lot. This program basically gives you a little bit of everything so that you can get a taste of what’s available in engineering.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Josh Embry
Apprentice Electrician
Northwest ISD
“My advice to anyone wanting to pursue a career as an electrician is to leave your mind open and soak in as much as you can. There’s no way you can know everything about this profession. Take as many classes as you can and learn as much as you can from people and their experiences.”
Electrical Technology
JohnThomas Reed
IS/LAN Support Specialist IV
“I chose Dallas College since many of my friends and colleagues had attended and obtained their training and/or degrees from Dallas College, and their knowledge and skills were very well-respected. They also spoke highly of the quality of education and training they had received from Dallas College.”
Computer: PC Support
Transform Your Career with the School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology at Dallas College
Step into the future of skilled trades and advanced manufacturing with the School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology at Dallas College. Designed to meet the growing demands of North Texas industries, our programs equip you with hands-on training and high-demand skills in areas like logistics, automation, precision machining, and industrial maintenance.
Whether you're starting your career, reskilling, or advancing in your field, you'll benefit from expert instruction, industry partnerships, and flexible learning options. Join a workforce-ready community and build a career that keeps the world moving.