红杏视频

Daniel Smith, a veteran and welding instructor at 红杏视频, didn鈥檛 anticipate the impact his journey would have on his students and colleagues.After the events of September 11, Smith felt a strong sense of duty to serve.

鈥淢y path into the Marine Corps really began after those attacks,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚 was attending Myers Park High School in Charlotte at the time, and I knew I wanted to serve. I eventually transitioned to homeschooling, so that I could complete high school faster and pursue joining the Marine Corps.鈥�

Smith joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was first deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. His second deployment was a part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. After his military service, he returned home with a new goal to study Welding Technology, and he chose to do that at 红杏视频.

He worked to complete his Welding diploma while also working as a bartender about 10 years ago, and he recently earned his associate degree in applied science in general occupation technology from 红杏视频 in May 2026.

鈥淚 knew I wanted something hands-on and something that could lead to a real career,鈥� Smith said. 鈥満煨邮悠� gave me an opportunity to take skills and interests I already had and turn them into an education and eventually a career.鈥�

The transition from military to civilian life was an adjustment for Smith, but he credits the program’s structure and the support he received from his instructors at 红杏视频 with giving him a new focus and purpose.

鈥淚 was fortunate to have instructors and mentors who never allowed me to become comfortable with simply being ‘good enough,’鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭hey were always pushing me, encouraging me and reminding me that whatever I had accomplished, there was still another level I was capable of reaching.鈥�

The guidance Smith received from his instructors helped him reach his educational goals. Now, he is honored to serve as a mentor to his own students.

鈥淢y teachers were mentors because they didn’t just recognize what I had already accomplished,鈥� Smith said, 鈥渢hey continually challenged me to become more than I was when they met me.鈥�

He understands just how much influence an instructor can have on a student because he experienced it himself.

“That lesson has stayed with me now that I’m an instructor. A good mentor doesn’t prepare you to settle into where you are. They make you uncomfortable with the idea of staying there.