Student Experience: Gabriela “Gaby” Sanchez

“Everything I learned in the CADD program, I use on the job. Steve Billingslea was a good professor. His videotaped classes were really helpful, and if you didn’t understand something, you could go back and review it over and over until you understood it. The most important thing I learned is that if you don’t use it, you lose it.

“My professors were hands-on and were there to teach you. The tutors and the whole staff were always available to help you.

“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. Really, all drafting jobs are needed. It’s a promising career.”

Gaby Sanchez earned CADD Operator and Advanced Operator certificates as well as an associate degree in CADD in 2006, after having taken some courses at Duncanville High School and liking the subject. As a CAD technician in the civil department of Raymond L. Goodson Jr. Inc. Consulting Engineers, which also has structural and surveying departments, she draws, edits and modifies engineering plans, and in some cases surveying plans. Primary clients include Southern Methodist University, Baylor Scott & White Health, Texas Health Resources, AT&T and some of the area’s large architecture firms.

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