Antonio Ricardo has been recognized as the Student Spotlight of the Week at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, according to a March 20 announcement. Ricardo is currently in his fourth and final semester in the college’s welding program.
Ricardo’s journey began when he first learned about welding during his junior year of high school. After researching the field online and seeing images of people combining metals, he became interested in pursuing a hands-on career rather than attending a four-year university. With encouragement from his parents to finish what he started, Ricardo enrolled at LATTC after graduation.
Reflecting on his experience, Ricardo said that working with fire and creating art by joining metal pieces brings him fulfillment. “My first semester here, I was really nervous. I was always on time because I was scared. But I built a work habit. I’m always trying to figure out more and more,” he said.
During his time at LATTC, Ricardo joined Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS), which provided him with counseling, funds for books and supplies, workshops, and important information. He expressed gratitude for EOPS meetings that helped answer his questions and prepare him for future educational goals.
Looking ahead, Ricardo plans to pursue professional opportunities as a welder—ideally securing employment as a union worker or within a company—and values the connections he has made through LATTC. He emphasized the importance of networking in any trade: “They exchange questions and advice weekly, minimizing the gap between those who may be struggling, and those who aren’t.”
