Student Experience: Adolph Rodriguez

“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.

“I also teach CADD classes as an adjunct instructor. I like to show my students what type of work I do and what I can accomplish with CAD software. Sometimes students are just taking a course as an elective, but once they’re in the classroom, I can see it in their eyes when they get interested and excited about what they can do with the software programs. They can see what kind of work is possible, and it makes them want to learn.

“I also continue to take courses to keep my skills updated; I recently took the advanced course in Catia software, which has specialized applications for the auto and aviation industries.”

Adolph Rodriguez earned his associate degree in Computer Aided Design and Drafting. As a mechanical designer in the engineering department of Bilco Brick, he creates designs for new product parts, assemblies and subassemblies, troubleshoots and keeps brick-making equipment running.

Job duties may include redesigning plans to retrofit equipment, or reverse engineering; and improving the efficiency of equipment that is broken or not working correctly. Bilco Bricks fabricates concrete bricks and uses specialty equipment that includes conveyer belts and mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic equipment.

He teaches beginning AutoCad, the first basic course for both mechanical and architectural CADD, and intermediate and advanced mechanical CAD courses as an adjunct faculty member. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.

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