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?

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)

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.