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?

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

Vassil Doudov

Coordinator, Client Relationship Management at Dallas College

“I recently completed the USI Dallas College Drone Workshop and gained valuable hands-on experience in just a few days. Mr. Hill’s expertise and passion made the training especially impactful.”

Drone Technology

Theresa Tennyson-Young

Senior Inventory Analyst Cummins Southern Plains, LLC

“My Logistics classes have given me new ideas on ways to handle things at work. And the convenience of the online courses lets me fit school around my work schedule, which isn’t always easy, but definitely worth the effort.”

Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Paul Maniscalco

Career Changer

“What attracted me to welding is its stability; you can pursue it as a lifelong career. My advice is to think really long term about your career future. Stick with it, because once you have welding skills, a lot of possibilities open up.”

Welding

Keith D. Hanspard

Construction Project Engineer Andres Construction Services

“I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in the construction industry to check into the Construction Management Program at North Lake. I can truly say that this program was very valuable to me and has helped me in my personal and professional goals.”

Construction Management, Construction Technology

Kathy Dana

HVAC Technician Dana Air

“I liked that the program was at a small college with only one air conditioning and refrigeration lab. It wasn’t easy, though. If you don’t pay attention to what you learn in the classroom and lab, you’re not going to know what to do in the field.”

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

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

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)

John Thomas 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

Jody Whitcomb

Quality Control Chemist City of Dallas Water Department

“My experience in the GIS program has been great. One of the good things is that it’s a very eclectic group of people, of all different ages and with all different backgrounds and experiences, many in a career change or who want a career change.”

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology

Joan Ui`lani Meeks

Project Manager, Construction US Power & Environment

“The most important part of my education has been through the construction arm of North Lake, one class at a time. Being a Dallas College student, you know that you can do it! No matter what age you are, you can obtain a degree.”

Construction Technology

Jesús Pereyra

Engineer Designer Wilson Co., Architecture Student University of Texas at Arlington

“My experience in community college has been wonderful, and the teachers here really know the program. It’s thanks to them that I’m doing so well at my job and have been able to apply what I’ve learned in mechanical design.”

Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)

Jesus Cavazos

Student

“The accessibility services have been a great support. Whenever I need help, there is always someone there to help me. My success coach is also a great resource in guiding me to make the right decisions and take the right classes.”

Uniquely Abled Academy

Jason Davis

Auto Body Technician Park Place Mercedes

“Everything in this business is hands-on, so I really liked that aspect of my education. People can tell you what to do all day long, but until you actually do it, you’re not learning much. This program actually teaches you to do things.”

Auto Body Technology

Jared Mercantel

Electrical Technology Student

“I’ve learned a lot of math that I need. The electrical theory class with Tom Hoops has a lot of math too — you have to be able to figure out how many amps and how much voltage you’ll need to do the job. It really teaches you how to be a project manager and figure out what you need for every job”

Electrical Technology

Jamie Smith

Group Leader Sewell Lexus of Dallas

“I loved that my classes were hands-on, and that we could develop a really close relationship with our instructors. I got individual attention and just got really good knowledge from all of my instructors. The labs at school were definitely the best part of the program.”

Automotive, Automotive Technology

James Bauer

Technical Specialist and Welding Fabricator Armadillo Aerospace

“Dallas College got me started on the core of my career. After finishing the program, I was invited back to teach, and I’ve been an adjunct welding instructor there for the past 13 years. One of the things I love so much is when I see people’s eyes light up after they see what they can do in the Welding Lab.”

Welding

View Additional Student Experiences

Someone uses a stylus to manipulate a CADD drawing on a laptop screen.

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.