In Industrial Technology, sparks ignite the minds of students as they learn craftsmanship in this uncommon trade.
Welding only can be found at two community colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District, but Pierce offers the most practical application.
Darlene Thompson teaches students to master four distinct styles of welding.
The classes meet in a combined setting, but students work at different levels, from beginner lessons to advanced.
Students learn how to use electricity from an arc, electricity on its own, and fuel gases to cut and weld metals in the Oxy-Acetylene, Arc, Inert Gas Arc and Advanced Arc welding classes, meet at the same time. Each class has a beginner and advanced level.
Thompson oversees at least 50 students as they learn the different types of welding.
She has been with the department since fall 2017 and also teaches at Los Angeles Trade Technical College.
Thompson said she cannot sleep at night because she is so excited to teach her students during the day.
Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:45 – 8:45 p.m. in Automotive Technology 3805.
There also is a class that meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:15 – 5:15 p.m. in Automotive Technology 3805.
