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?

Hugh Brooks

President Think Green Builders LLC

“I was delighted to find that North Lake had a Construction Technology department that taught by hands-on practice along with text. The instructors were qualified educators, but also had many years of experience in construction. Everyone in our firm, regardless of their position, takes construction courses at North Lake.”

Construction Technology

Harold Collins

Welding Instructor Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, Calif.

“The educational atmosphere created in the welding program is second to none — ensuring success to any student willing to work.”

Welding

Gabriela “Gaby” Sanchez

CAD Technician Raymond L. Goodson Jr. Inc. Consulting Engineers

“I would recommend this program because it’s a growing career field. There’s a lot of need for CAD technicians, especially in civil engineering departments because of all the construction going on in the metroplex. It’s a promising career.”

Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)

Frank Juarez

Retired Engineering Technician Texas Instruments; Electronics/Mechatronics Student

“From my Mechatronics class, my skills will be applicable whether I’m working as a technician in the field or in a power generation center. I’ve also realized from taking Mechatronics how much I like to teach the younger kids, mentoring them in learning how to do things from the ground up.”

Mechatronics

Francisco Guerrero

Apprentice Electrician JMeg Electrical Contractors

“The best thing I’ve learned besides reading plans is to always think ahead about your work, to think what the next step is going to be. I want to be able to comprehend what I need to do right away instead of asking over and over what to do.”

Electrical Technology

Felipe Estrada

Project Engineer Lasco Acoustics and Drywall Inc.

“The courses that I took at Dallas College gave me a great variety of tools and gave a solid foundation to my career. Thanks to the instructors’ and advisors’ professionalism, I have always stayed motivated and have gained great self-confidence.”

Construction Management

Edward Bedford

3-D CAD Designer Hilite International

“My education has given me the basic skills needed to keep up with the growing and fast pace of CADD and design technology. The most important thing that I learned was the standard of leadership that included improving my administrative and technology skills in addition to good communication and planning skills.”

Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)

David McNabb

Automotive Technology Instructor

“After taking one welding class, I'm not an expert, but I do have a great foundation. I’m confident that I could do a good-quality weld in most situations I’m likely to run into.”

Welding

Cheryl Howerton

GIS Technician Range Resources Fort Worth

“This program is a good fit for me because I’m inquisitive and analytical; I don’t take what’s given to me at face value. I have to question if something will hold up under scrutiny, and why or why not.”

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology

Catherine Rowley

GIS Analyst Halff Associates

“I would definitely recommend this program to other students who are interested in a technical field but don’t feel that standard computer courses are their cup of tea. I’ve learned so much in such a short amount of time that I’m hooked.”

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology

Bryan A. Palmer

CAD Technician LOPEZGARCIA GROUP

“My education helped prepare me for a professional career; before this job, I had always worked in an hourly pay environment on a production line. Now, I have a career that I not only enjoy but where I can earn a good salary.”

Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)

Bruce Parramore

Welder All Metal Fabrications Allen, Texas

“I was working as a truck driver when I took my first Welding course. I had gotten interested in welding when I built a go-cart as a home project and had decided I’d like to learn how to weld better. But after I took that first welding class — after just four months — I had learned enough that I was able to get a job in my company’s welding department. Now I’m a welder instead of a truck driver.”

Welding

Beth Leverman

Cytotechnologist LabCorp, Vespa and Classic Car Owner

“It’s true that there are usually only a few women in my classes, but I’m not intimidated at all. The instructors treat me just like everyone else and expect the same thing from me as the guys. That makes me feel comfortable.”

Auto Body Technology

Adolph Rodriguez

Mechanical Designer Bilco Brick

“I use an equivalent combination of my CADD education and job skill experience every day in my work. I loved my education, the school itself and particularly knowledge I’ve learned from instructors like Steve Billingslea.”

Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)

Abraham Cherian

Independent Kitchen Contractor Ikea

“In school, I get to learn by the book and experience. I moved to Dallas after living in Philadelphia for ten years, and I’ve never seen a construction lab like this anywhere. It’s great to have such practical classes. We get to learn from the best, especially from instructors who have been in the business for so many years.”

Construction Management

Geoff Tchon

Student, Dallas College Aviation Maintenance Program

“I had always loved airplanes growing up, so when I had a chance to start over, I fell right into it ... I’ve discovered it takes a lot of perseverance and determination as well as not being afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands a little dirty.”

Aviation Maintenance Technology

Alonzo L. Adams

Self-Employed Mechanic Adjunct Automotive Technology Faculty Cedar Valley

“I was eager to learn, and the Diesel program really excited me. The more I learned, the more I realize it’s not so hard. All of my instructors have been knowledgeable; any questions I had for them, they were pretty much able to answer everything. These are great courses if you want to work on diesel engines.”

Automotive, Automotive Technology, Automotive Technology - Diesel and Heavy Equipment

Rafael Merren

Owner/Operator Grump’s Rod Shop

“It’s great to have intelligent capabilities, but if you don’t have the skillsets to back them up, what’s the point of going out into the real world? If you have a practical skill, you can always put bread on the table.”

Auto Body Technology

Kathryn Jaeger

Technician, Trophy Nissan of Mesquite

“People look at a car and open the hood and see all the hoses and connections, and maybe think, ‘I am never going to figure this out.' Then you learn the basic concepts, and it’s more simplistic than you would think.”

Automotive Technology

Doug Jochum

Art Teacher Skyline High School

“The students here are also attentive and helpful — I found out right away that there’s a group of them who have been here a while and who will chip in to help you do anything you don’t understand or help hold something you’re working on. I think that attitude is a reflection of the teaching here as well.”

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.