Discover Our Students’ Experiences Through Their Own Words: Dhruv Pandya

“With my first management class, I was hooked. Everything I learned at community college was a real-life experience. I could apply what I was learning at work and really see results. My education helped me to do more and more on the job.

“Today I’m helping to change people’s lives. The credit for what I am today goes to my education.”

After completing his associate degree, Dhruv earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University in Cedar Hill and a Master’s of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. He worked for several years as Level III manager supervising a group of more than 90 employees responsible for maintaining all of the water pipes on the south side of Dallas before being promoted to his current position as assistant director of Trinity Watershed Management. He was honored with an Individual Achievement Award by the city in 1996 and 2000, was named Employee of the Year in 1988 and was given a Director’s Award for Productivity, Achievement and Innovation in 1995.

A student with a red jacket poses for a photo in a downtown setting

Stephanie Gutierrez

Culinary Student

“At El Centro’s Culinary and Hospitality Institute, I’m learning how to plan a menu and use time management in the kitchen. Now with SkillsUSA, it’s teaching me to get where I want to go.”

Culinary and Pastry Arts

Albert Pantoja III

Senior Accountant American Home Mortgage Servicing

“My experience was really good; I learned a lot about different types of loans, underwriting and loan origination. The program gave us a broad overview from the get-go. I didn’t have any previous experience in mortgage banking at all, so it really helped me to prepare for changing jobs into the industry.”

Banking and Finance

Tammy White

Project Manager Verizon Telecom

“The most important thing I learned in my education was a sense of accomplishment and purpose, and that nothing is impossible as long as I am willing to expend the effort to reach my goals. I have been promoted a number of times in recent years, into positions of more and more responsibility as a direct result of my education.”

Business, Business and Management