Dallas College

Student Experience: Austin Brooks

“I actually first taught myself how to weld on YouTube because I’m always working on tons of projects, but when I got to the metal part I was lost. Then I realized I wasn’t very good at teaching myself, so I came to Mountain View to really learn how to weld. 

“Dewayne Roy is such a good teacher because he’s so hard on you and wants to teach you the right way to do things. You’ll think you’ll have done something really nice, but he just won’t accept it if it’s not done absolutely right. And that’s how you learn to do things well.

“The classes you learn in aren’t the ones you breeze by and get an A in. The classes where you really learn are the ones where you work your rear off to get a C, and the teacher makes you work for that C. 

“I’m deciding on whether to do an associate degree; my end goal is to transfer to a four-year university. I’m in the Criminal Justice program, still getting my basics out of the way, though I took some criminal justice courses in high school. 

“I’m taking welding for my own knowledge so that I can build what I want to and know how to handle the metal part of my construction projects. If I’m not in school or with my girlfriend, I’m in the garage working on something.”


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Hugh Brooks

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

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 Sanchez

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

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
Austin Brooks
Austin Brooks
Full-Time Student
Welding
School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
Updated September 4, 2026