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Dallas College

Helen T. Watts

“I don’t honestly remember how I came to the Welding program, but I think it was because I wanted to build a fence. But then I found out that metal is so much more fun than you could ever guess. I’ve made metal furniture, shelving, a towel rack and shelf custom-made for my bathroom, light fixtures — and what people seem to appreciate most, yard art. 

“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. 

“Being able to make things out of found pieces, reusing them to make something beautiful and useful is really fun. Sometimes I make things out of silverware I buy at the thrift store; they’re unique pieces to give as gifts and nothing you could find in any store. You take ugly old castoff metal and make something interesting and useful, which is just awesome.  “Who knew?” 

A Dallas firefighter for more than 20 years, Helen Watts is a welding hobbyist who takes individual Welding courses for personal interest at Dallas College around her work schedule.


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Mike Walker

Supervisor of Mechanical Design Continental Electronics Corp.
“You should never stop learning in today’s world. If you do, you get left behind like the dinosaurs. Once you have knowledge, though, no one can take it away from you. The most important thing I learned is how to have the tools you need in today’s workforce.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Mike Reinhardt

Mike Reinhardt

Full-Time Student and Future Underwater Welder
“The instructors in the program are really great and take time to help me when I need it. I want to take every welding course I can to get the experience I’ll need for my future career: I plan to become an underwater welder and am looking at schools where I can transfer and get that specialty.”
Welding
Paul Mears

Paul Mears

Welding Artist and Business Owner Iron Art of La Jolla, Calif.
“Welding is so much fun — it’s dangerous and exciting. Dewayne Roy is one of the best instructors you could ever want. He’s not only knowledgeable in the field, but is so upbeat and willing to show you everything he can.”
Welding
Rodney Taylor

Rodney Taylor

Management Coordinator Prevost, a division of Volvo Group; Adjunct Faculty Diesel Maintenance Technician Program
“The labs I worked in at Dallas College had all of the latest equipment, and that’s what I learned on. I think that my advanced training is part of what helped me move up the career ladder; I just knew a lot more than most of my peers because of my training.”
Automotive Technology
Helen Watts
Helen T. Watts
Firefighter and Dispatcher, Dallas Fire-Rescue Welding Hobbyist
Welding
School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
Updated September 16, 2025