Dallas College

Student Experience: Abraham Cherian

“I’m taking classes in both Construction Technology and Construction Management, because eventually I want to know how to do it all – both build and manage. I want to learn everything I can to do things the right way. 

“Out on the job, I learn by experience, but there’s always a better way to do things. 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. 

“My dream job? I’d like to do both building and renovations. The economy is going to keep going up and down, and I want to stay in both so that I’ll always be in business.”

Abraham Cherian took Construction classes at North Lake's West Campus.


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Alonzo Adams

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

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

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

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
Abraham Cherian
Abraham Cherian
Independent Kitchen Contractor Ikea
Construction Management
School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
Updated July 28, 2026