“Watching the mechanics day in and day out, I fell in love with the industry,” Geoff said. “I knew I wanted to be part of that.”

Today, Geoff is enrolled in Dallas College’s Aircraft Maintenance Technology program, where he is gaining hands-on experience working on real airframes and engines at the RedBird training facility. The program’s career-ready approach has already set him on a path toward licensure and strong job opportunities in a high-demand field.

Along the way, Geoff has discovered something about himself.

“It takes perseverance, determination and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty,” he said.

With a national shortage of aircraft mechanics, Geoff is preparing to enter a critical workforce — equipped with the skills, confidence and credentials to succeed. For him, Dallas College wasn’t just a second chance. It was the start of something greater.