D-link Page for Image

CTE Student Success

Sophia Nguyen

Certificate: CNC Programmer

What made you come to Cerritos College and why?

I live honestly, like ten minutes away, and it’s the closest community college that I saw that had CNC Programming. I went here after high school, and I actually really liked it. My high school experience during that time was bad, so I didn’t really focus into it all that much, but coming back, I have a clearer understanding of where I want to go, and so that’s why I chose Cerritos College.

I was originally in pharmacy technician, and I liked it, but like the retail aspect, I really didn’t enjoy. It was constantly rushing, rushing, rushing, and it made me feel constant anxiety attacks, so I was like, “That’s not for me.” Then I went to an adult school for medical assisting-phlebotomy. I joined that too, but again, the clinical offices were in and out, and I realized I wasn’t suited for that. So, my dad suggested I try CNC programming because everyone in my family is essentially into the machine technology industry. He suggested I try it, just give it a try, and I ended up really liking it, so I was like, “Might as well go all the way.”

After completing the certificate, I hope to get into a position at my dad’s company as a programmer. Going into CNC Programming, I had no expectations of how I was going to do initially. It was the first time I was going to be going into something like it. However as I went through the program, I enjoyed it greatly and was glad that Cerritos College has MTT in its options of CTE Programs.

STUDENT ADVICE

I guess there are definitely way more options than I have been given because I was always told to do one thing. Seeing that there are so many more options just in that one thing you are told you should do, and it’s affordable versus some trade schools, private ones, and community colleges, especially Cerritos College—it’s a lot more affordable. You can do more things if you want to.

Definitely try it. The intro classes are very good if you don’t know anything as a first step. If you find out you don’t like it, at least you had the introduction to Machine Tool Technology and took that step. So, it’s not a big investment, but it’s also the first step. Don’t be scared to jump in.

INSIGHT

There were some personal challenges, but I think it’s because I never really worked with my hands before. Like, actually using tools and measurements—I had to learn that from basically baby steps, and I am still struggling, but it’s definitely something that I am working towards, too.

It’s a lot of fun. Seeing something, for example, a blueprint, then designing it, and then actually creating it on the machine is amazing. Having the part in your hands, I find that really fun. The professor will give you an assignment, and it’s like a blueprint with all these dimensions. Depending on the class, you will design it on MasterCam. You basically put the tool packs in, and MasterCam will give you a series of codes. You can go in and edit it and fine-tune it. You put it in a simulator to make sure it works correctly, and if it doesn’t, you take it back and adjust it. Once he gives you the okay, you plug it into the actual machine. Again, to make sure you set up everything and it works, and then you actually see it cut and see it do everything you set it out to do. I just find it really cool and amazing. It’s definitely a good foundation.

Professor Vo has helped me succeed in this program. He’s really helpful and everything. He’s understanding; if you ask for help, he’ll explain it. He is like a mentor; he helps me with the foundation and everything because I’m basically a blank slate. I have like nothing; I don’t know anything about that. He’ll make suggestions, and I will ask him for help, and he’ll explain it in a way that somebody who has no idea would find easy to understand.

Cerritos College

Machine Tool Technology

For more information on enrollment, please refer to the current class schedule or consult a counselor.
www.cerritos.edu/mtt/