School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Student Experiences
No matter where these current or former students are in the process of reaching their goals, we salute them. They have dared to turn dreams into reality through education in the School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology. Could you be next?
Joan Ui`lani Meeks
Project Manager, Construction
US Power & Environment
“The most important part of my education has been through the construction arm of North Lake, one class at a time. Being a Dallas College student, you know that you can do it! No matter what age you are, you can obtain a degree.”
Construction Technology
Jesús Pereyra
Engineer Designer
Wilson Co.,
Architecture Student
University of Texas at Arlington
“My experience in community college has been wonderful, and the teachers here really know the program. It’s thanks to them that I’m doing so well at my job and have been able to apply what I’ve learned in mechanical design.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Jesus Cavazos
Student
“The accessibility services have been a great support. Whenever I need help, there is always someone there to help me. My success coach is also a great resource in guiding me to make the right decisions and take the right classes.”
Uniquely Abled Academy
Jared Mercantel
Electrical Technology Student
“I’ve learned a lot of math that I need. The electrical theory class with Tom Hoops has a lot of math too — you have to be able to figure out how many amps and how much voltage you’ll need to do the job. It really teaches you how to be a project manager and figure out what you need for every job”
Electrical Technology
James Bauer
Technical Specialist and Welding Fabricator
Armadillo Aerospace
“Dallas College got me started on the core of my career. After finishing the program, I was invited back to teach, and I’ve been an adjunct welding instructor there for the past 13 years. One of the things I love so much is when I see people’s eyes light up after they see what they can do in the Welding Lab.”
Welding
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
Helen T. Watts
Firefighter and Dispatcher, Dallas Fire-Rescue
Welding Hobbyist
“I’ve always been interested in making things, in all kinds of crafts like tilework and stained glass. Metalwork is fun because you get your work out there — people call me about my yard art more than I could ever have imagined.”
Welding
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 “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
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
Francisco Guerrero
Apprentice Electrician
JMeg Electrical Contractors
“The best thing I’ve learned besides reading plans is to always think ahead about your work, to think what the next step is going to be. I want to be able to comprehend what I need to do right away instead of asking over and over what to do.”
Electrical Technology
Felipe Estrada
Project Engineer
Lasco Acoustics and Drywall Inc.
“The courses that I took at Dallas College gave me a great variety of tools and gave a solid foundation to my career. Thanks to the instructors’ and advisors’ professionalism, I have always stayed motivated and have gained great self-confidence.”
Construction Management
Edward Bedford
3-D CAD Designer
Hilite International
“My education has given me the basic skills needed to keep up with the growing and fast pace of CADD and design technology. The most important thing that I learned was the standard of leadership that included improving my administrative and technology skills in addition to good communication and planning skills.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Vassil Doudov
Coordinator, Client Relationship Management at Dallas College
“I recently completed the USI Dallas College Drone Workshop and gained valuable hands-on experience in just a few days. Mr. Hill’s expertise and passion made the training especially impactful.”
Drone Technology
David McNabb
Automotive Technology Instructor
“After taking one welding class, I'm not an expert, but I do have a great foundation. I’m confident that I could do a good-quality weld in most situations I’m likely to run into.”
Welding
Cheryl Howerton
GIS Technician
Range Resources
Fort Worth
“This program is a good fit for me because I’m inquisitive and analytical; I don’t take what’s given to me at face value. I have to question if something will hold up under scrutiny, and why or why not.”
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology
Catherine Rowley
GIS Analyst
Halff Associates
“I would definitely recommend this program to other students who are interested in a technical field but don’t feel that standard computer courses are their cup of tea. I’ve learned so much in such a short amount of time that I’m hooked.”
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology
Abdul Jebbar Ali
Map Specialist Federal Flood Certification Corp./First Horizon Home Corp.
“In my current job as a map specialist, I process a request from clients for flood determination on their property. Someday, I would like to combine my job skills in engineering, construction and CADD, added to the new geospatial technology skills I’m developing.”
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology
Bruce Parramore
Welder
All Metal Fabrications
Allen, Texas
“I was working as a truck driver when I took my first Welding course. I had gotten interested in welding when I built a go-cart as a home project and had decided I’d like to learn how to weld better. But after I took that first welding class — after just four months — I had learned enough that I was able to get a job in my company’s welding department. Now I’m a welder instead of a truck driver.”
Welding
Bryan A. Palmer
CAD Technician
LOPEZGARCIA GROUP
“My education helped prepare me for a professional career; before this job, I had always worked in an hourly pay environment on a production line. Now, I have a career that I not only enjoy but where I can earn a good salary.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Transform Your Career with the School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology at Dallas College
Step into the future of skilled trades and advanced manufacturing with the School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology at Dallas College. Designed to meet the growing demands of North Texas industries, our programs equip you with hands-on training and high-demand skills in areas like logistics, automation, precision machining, and industrial maintenance.
Whether you're starting your career, reskilling, or advancing in your field, you'll benefit from expert instruction, industry partnerships, and flexible learning options. Join a workforce-ready community and build a career that keeps the world moving.