Alex Velasquez will graduate this May from Craven Community College with an associate in science degree. Velasquez said the college became more than just a place to earn a degree, describing it as the foundation for his future.
Velasquez chose Craven Community College because of its split campuses and the convenience of having a campus close to home in Havelock. He said, “Having a campus in Havelock close to home and the connection to engineering programs made it an easy decision.”
He recalled feeling nervous about his first semester but found support from instructors and classmates. “I found that the workload was manageable, and the teachers were very friendly and easy to work with,” he said. His interest in science grew through engaging classes such as physics and biology, where hands-on experiments made learning enjoyable.
Welding courses at Craven played a significant role in shaping Velasquez’s career plans. “The amount of hands-on work that you get to do here gives you a sense of familiarity when you start a new job,” he said. After graduation, he plans to attend trade school in Mooresville for further training in welding, fabrication, machining, and blueprint reading.
Velasquez hopes eventually to return to Eastern North Carolina for work at Fleet Readiness Center East at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. He credited counselors and instructors at Craven for their support throughout his studies: “When things got tough, the teachers helped me keep going,” he said. “They were passionate, open, and easy to talk to.”
Beyond academics, Velasquez also built lasting friendships through group projects and shared challenges during his time at college. As part of the Class of 2026 preparing for graduation, he offered advice: “What I would tell someone who thinks they don’t belong in college is: You do.”
