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?

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

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

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

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

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

Helen T. Watts

Firefighter and Dispatcher, Dallas Fire-Rescue Welding Hobbyist

“I’ve always been interested in making things, in all kinds of crafts like tilework and stained glass. Metalwork is fun because you get your work out there — people call me about my yard art more than I could ever have imagined.”

Welding

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

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.