CADD Alum returns to campus to share career opportunities
Published on Dec 10, 2024
A proud father of seven, Phi Theta Kappa member, and happy husband, Marcus Luna says he lives by the motto “every day is a holiday.”
A Boyd County grad, Luna graduated from the Ashland Community & Technical College’s Computer Aided Drafting & Design program in 2019.
He says his high school drafting program provided a head start on college credits, an opportunity that was made possible through a collaboration between ACTC and Boyd County schools.
He added that the knowledge and skills he gained through the program helped propel him toward his career goals.
After graduation, he began his professional career at EN Engineering as a Traffic Control Designer, where he applied the skills learned at ACTC in a real-world setting.
His career continued with a transition to ATCO Communications Services, LLC., where he is currently employed.
Over time, he advanced to a managerial role and recognized the importance of giving back to the institution and community that helped shape his future.
He returned to campus last month for a presentation to students currently enrolled in the program.
The visit provided an opportunity for students to hear firsthand from Luna how ACTC helped launch his career and how his professional path has continued to evolve since graduation.
"I wanted to come back and speak to current students because EN Engineering had presented in my class, and that’s where I took my first steps into my professional career,” he said. “Now that I’m a manager at ATCO, I want to show students what opportunities exist for them. "
For anyone considering attending ACTC, he says that his experience at the college “literally changed his lifestyle,” crediting the education he received for shaping him into the person he is today.
Luna encourages prospective students to explore the opportunities that ACTC offers, noting that the knowledge gained in the CADD program has been essential to his professional growth.
To those considering a career in drafting, he highlighted the increasing demand in the field, especially with the shift to remote work accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He says that drafting is a field that adapts well to remote work, making it a versatile career choice.
The CADD program at ACTC prepares students for careers in fields like architecture, engineering, and manufacturing.
The program teaches essential drafting and design skills using industry-standard software. Students can earn an associate degree or certificate, and the program emphasizes hands-on experience and problem-solving.
For more information, visit https://ashland.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/computer-aided-drafting-design.aspx
Written by: Megan Smedley
