Smashed pumpkin leads Building Construction Technology student to TSTC

(WACO, Texas) -Vanessa Loredo, of Waco, is working toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology at Texas State Technical College. She is scheduled to graduate in December.

What inspired you to study Building Construction Technology at TSTC? 

My mother surprised us with a pumpkin for Halloween when I was seven years old. The next day, we walked to the store to grab some milk for my little brother. When we were walking back, we could see something in the middle of the road, but it was too far to see exactly what it was. We continued walking to only find our beloved pumpkin smashed in the middle of the road. Older kids from the neighborhood were going around smashing pumpkins. 

My mother hurried us in the house to calm us, just to walk in the door and see the electricity was cut off. My mom quickly lit a few candles and sat with all of us on the living room floor, reassured us everything was going to be okay, and pulled out a few pieces of blank paper. She said we should draw our dream houses just to get our minds onto something else. With tears in my eyes, I began drawing a house with big gates around it so no one could take anything from me. The house I drew had electricity, unlimited food, water, toys, new clothes, and a car for my mom. I joined TSTC’s Building Construction Technology program inspired to give my mother that house.

What is a typical class day like for you? 

A typical class day is driving to school and not leaving my truck until my personal protection equipment is in hand. I head into the building through approved entrance doors. I enter the classroom on time and ready to learn.

What have you enjoyed learning so far in the Building Construction Technology program? 

I have enjoyed everything about the program. My instructors are excellent mentors and push me to my fullest potential. I enjoy creating with my hands the most.

What challenges have you had during the pandemic as you attend TSTC? 

I do not have too many challenges due to the hard work and endurance of my instructors. Without my instructors, the challenges I face would be astronomical.

What are your plans for after graduation, and are you optimistic about the job market? 

I plan on purchasing a few pieces of land and breaking ground for new homes. I want to buy a few already built homes and refurbish them, then flip them. I want to build my company from the ground up and provide opportunities for so many people. I am being optimistic, though life has prepared me for anything. So I know with my heart, mind, body and soul that whatever the job market looks like, God will guide my way.

Why should more women consider pursuing the construction industry? 

More women should pursue this industry because we as women are natural perfectionists, organizers, and are determined to finish what we start.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that there will be a need for more than 517,000 construction managers by 2029 due to new construction, infrastructure for upgrades and replacements, and retrofitting structures to make them more efficient. In Texas, construction managers made an annual mean wage of more than $97,000 as of May 2019, according to the agency.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology and a Building Construction – Craftsman certificate at the Harlingen and Waco campuses.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu. 

TSTC Building Construction Technology adapts to teaching during pandemic

(WACO, Texas) – Wearing a mask and hard hat, Chelsea Wallace hoisted a long piece of wood on her shoulder to carry so her classmates could start a project framing a floor in a Building Construction Technology class at Texas State Technical College.

She is grateful to be making good use of her hands during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s hard, and it’s challenging,” said Wallace, of Euless. “Everyone is hands-on with building construction.”

Since spring 2020, TSTC’s programs have been taught either exclusively online or in a hybrid format that combines online lectures with on-campus labs. Building Construction Technology is using virtual lectures and labs in two-hour blocks to give students the knowledge they need — safely.

TSTC students, faculty and staff continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in wearing masks, not gathering in groups, and sanitizing hands and work areas. All of this is being done to fight the spread of COVID-19.

“Nobody would deny we have a challenge,” said Tony Chaffin, statewide lead instructor in TSTC’s Building Construction Technology program.

Program staff sanitize tools, work tables and classrooms up to nine times a day. The program recently bought three fogging guns to spray disinfectant mist, making it easier to clean tools.

In late December and early January, program staff created wooden training stations divided by plexiglass. Students use them in classes early on in the Building Construction Technology program, enabling them to work on projects with more personal space.

The number of students in classes has been reduced to create more working space for projects. In labs, students work in small groups. They work together for less than 15 minutes, wash their hands, then start again. 

Chaffin said students continue to be required to wear safety glasses, work boots, heavy pants or jeans, and masks.

“It’s getting them used to what will be required on a job site,” he said.

Wallace has a degree in hospitality management and was laid off in 2020. Building construction comes naturally to her. Her father owns a residential construction company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and her mother is in interior design. She also has a brother and a friend from high school who have graduated from TSTC’s Building Construction Technology program.

Wallace’s goal is to take over her father’s business someday.

“It’s a total 360, but it is for the better,” she said.

Corey Hartis, of Montgomery, feels good about his job prospects during the pandemic. He is scheduled to graduate this semester and is looking for internship and job opportunities in the Houston area.

“I think the construction market has not been affected that much,” Hartis said. “I found a lot of good entry-level jobs I am definitely going to apply to.”

Hartis was exposed to construction by watching his father do projects and also building deer stands in the family’s backyard. After graduating from Montgomery High School, Hartis attended a four-year university to study agribusiness but left because he felt it was not the right fit for him.

“I like how TSTC’s program is set up from start to finish, from swinging a hammer and reading blueprints to framing walls and the management classes,” Hartis said.

K. Paul Holt, president and chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America’s Central Texas Chapter in Waco, said during times when the nation’s economy takes a downturn, workers typically take advantage to go back to college and learn new work skills.

“We have an entire generation of older workers that are retiring, while at the same time we need even more employees than if they were all staying,” Holt said. “Trades workers of all sorts, such as electricians, HVAC, plumbers, are in short supply. We need to feed these pipelines with younger people who can learn their chosen craft and make very good livings.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

Daily conversation leads Hernandez to TSTC

(ABILENE, Texas) – While working in her hometown of Snyder, Veronica Hernandez talked to a Scurry County EMS paramedic daily.

The more she talked to the first responder, the more her interest grew in becoming one herself. Hernandez decided it was a good career option and began Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program in January.

“I went to college after high school and was not really feeling it,” she said. “I ended up working for my parents. There was a paramedic next door, and we would always talk. He would tell me what was happening, and I found it interesting. All of a sudden, I knew what I wanted to do.”

While she was late to register for a Scurry County EMS-based program, she knew that TSTC offered the program close to home.

“So far, I have loved every minute of the program here,” Hernandez said. “I like to help people, and I knew this would be the right step.”

Through the first few weeks of the program, Hernandez said she has learned more than she expected.

“The skills we learn in the lab are great,” she said. “Even with COVID protocols, it is good we still have the opportunity to learn. In February, we are going to be starting clinicals. I am excited to be working in different hospitals and ambulances.”

Hernandez is planning to complete her certification and return to study for an associate degree.

“I am going all the way in this program. I will have so many different options after that,” she said.

During high school, Hernandez knew of TSTC’s program, but she did not realize how much the instructors wanted to see students succeed.

“The instructors are awesome. They are so open,” she said. “They like to have one-on-one conversations with you. It is so easy to communicate with the instructors and the students.”

She also likes that most TSTC graduates will be working immediately after school.

“When they told us that we could start working in May, that is something I did not dream of,” she said. “They are preparing us to work in the field.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1,000 emergency medical technicians and paramedics are employed in West Texas. It estimates that EMT/paramedic jobs will increase by 6% by 2029.

Hernandez said TSTC is the place to go for a person wanting to enter the paramedic field.

“The instructors are going to hold you to the highest standard. They are going to make sure you know the material to succeed,” she said.

Hernandez did admit there was one regret.

“I really wish I would have started this program sooner,” she said.

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Advocacy and Resource Center to host open house monthly through April

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Students may struggle with many different situations while attending college. Those attending Texas State Technical College can feel at ease knowing that they have guidance and support through the services of the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC).

Formerly called Student Services, the Advocacy and Resource Center offers an inclusive environment that embraces the diversity of students and helps them achieve success in their academic and career goals.

This semester, the center plans to host an open house on Feb. 4, March 2 and April 8, which gives students the opportunity to connect with an ARC coach on their campus.

“The ARC is designed to assist students with nonacademic barriers and help them get back on the path toward graduation,” said TSTC Student Life coordinator Belinda Palomino. “The office functions as a resource and referral center. When life happens, we have resources that can help.”

There are a variety of resources shared with students who turn to the center, such as TSTC’s lending library, food pantry, and child care assistance.

“TSTC is known for being a family-oriented campus,” said senior staff assistant Lisa Garza. “We are always happy to welcome our students with open arms and help guide and support them every step of the way.”

TSTC’s mission of ensuring that students are equipped with everything they need to thrive in the Texas workforce goes beyond academics, an objective that the ARC represents well.

“The staff is passionate and genuinely cares about helping students reach their academic goals,” Palomino said. “Our coaches know the students by name and will work with them until whatever situation they are in gets resolved. The student experience matters.”

Garza added that the size of the campus also makes for a positive learning environment for those who want more personal guidance through their college journey.

“TSTC is the perfect campus for one-on-one guidance and education,” she said. “Being that we are a smaller campus, we have the opportunity to offer more direct instruction and support.”

To learn more about the Advocacy and Resource Center, visit https://www.tstc.edu/student_life/caring.

TSTC hosts digital event to educate students about abusive relationships

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Office of Counseling and Student Rights and Responsibilities will host a digital event called “Love Is Not Abuse” on Thursday, Feb. 11, at noon in an effort to give students advice and statistics about abusive relationships.

TSTC student counselor Angela Dunn discussed what she hopes students will learn from the event, as well as what students should do if they have additional questions or are seeking more resources.

“Attendees will learn about healthy relationships and boundaries,” she said. “They will also learn about resources if they are experiencing dating violence or stalking.”

She said that college is a pivotal time in the personal lives of students, and this information will be beneficial to those in new relationships.

“It’s a crucial time for individuals to learn about red flags when they date,” she said. “Dating violence does not discriminate and can affect all genders, races, ages, cultures and socioeconomic levels.”

According to LoveIsRespect.org, dating violence affects 43 percent of female college students, and, according to JamaNetwork.com, it affects 27 percent of males.

Dunn wants students to utilize the digital event to ask as many questions as they need to.

“Our goal is to empower the attendees to reach out to resources if they are experiencing dating violence, as well as being able to provide resources to others,” she said. “Dating violence is typically not a singular incident, so it is important to know the steps to make sure students can safely exit a relationship.”

Should students have additional questions or want to talk to a counselor personally, Dunn said they should not hesitate to contact the Student Counseling department.

“Counselors are available at TSTC to assist students,” she said. “All communication with a counselor is confidential and at no cost to currently enrolled students.”

TSTC students who wish to participate in the “Love Is Not Abuse” digital event can go to https://tstc.edu/staysafe.

To learn more about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

 

TSTC’s RISE program sees success with first cohorts

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Last year, Texas State Technical College deployed the Rapid Industry Skills and Employability (RISE) program to allow students to quickly learn the skills needed to help get them started on the path to a new career.

The courses were introduced to help combat the impact that the coronavirus has had on employment in Texas.

Hector Yanez, TSTC’s senior vice president of Student Learning, said that the first cohorts of the RISE program have seen success, and he expects to see additional interest from potential students as word spreads.

“The RISE cohorts have been doing well,” he said. “We have gathered data and continue to comb through it to get a better understanding of what is working great and what needs to be tweaked. In order to maintain rigor and quality, we inspect things very closely so that students can achieve success in their cohort.”

The courses are implemented in areas with high industry demand so that jobs can be readily available for students once they receive their Occupational Skills Award. However, Yanez said that he has noticed a surprising trend.

“An interesting thing that we observed immediately after the first cohort was that students wanted to continue their education and explore TSTC’s certificate programs and associate degrees,” he said. “Students enroll knowing that they could get even higher wages with just a few more courses.”

Yanez said that TSTC is currently in the process of adding 14 new Occupational Skills Award-eligible courses to the RISE program, which will double the opportunity for interested students.

“The RISE awards give the students the knowledge to work more efficiently, boost their confidence and make them a more valuable candidate for employers,” he said. “Businesses are always on the lookout for knowledgeable staff, and these RISE awards will offer the students the opportunity to attain these in-demand jobs.”

Limited scholarships are available for those interested in the RISE program.

To learn more, visit https://www.tstc.edu/rise.

 

 

Students travel different paths to TSTC’s Welding Technology program

(ABILENE, Texas) – Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College is one of the more popular programs offered statewide.

Students enter the program for different reasons, from seeking a career change to learning more about a craft they dabbled in during a weekend project. TSTC instructors will teach students how to hone the craft in order to find a career or simply to complete a weekend project.

Matt Hanneman is finishing his final semester of the associate degree program. He wanted to change careers and knew welders make good money.

“I was in residential and commercial construction,” he said. “I decided I wanted a career change. What I plan to be is a certified welding instructor.”

The lifelong resident of Abilene knew that TSTC offered welding and would be the perfect place to get his education.

“The teachers are really good and are perfect for this program,” Hanneman said. “They let us play around with different projects but are always there to make sure we do things correctly.”

Donovan Gomez, of Clyde, entered the program after working on welding jobs when he graduated from high school.

“I started to like it more and more,” he said. “I wanted to follow my brother in diesel mechanics, but I learned that I enjoyed welding more.”

Gomez is working on his certificate with the goal of finding employment close to home.

“I hope to work in the oil fields in West Texas,” he said.

Like Hanneman, Gomez said the instructors help students learn the tricks of the trade.

“They will let us go through one project, and we will go show them what we did,” he said. “They will tell us what we need to do to fix our project. They always want us to get better.”

Gomez said he was nervous when he first started the program in the fall but has settled into his work bay.

“I think things have come pretty naturally for me,” he said.

Gomez’s biggest struggle was with reading blueprints. But with encouragement, he gained confidence.

“The instructors were always there to help me. Now I am able to read the blueprint and get the work done,” he said.

Hanneman said having a lab available to complete projects drew him to TSTC. But there was another reason why he chose TSTC.

“I really like TSTC’s money-back guarantee. It shows me the confidence of the school because they will give us our money back if we do not find a job,” he said.

In addition to Welding Technology, the money-back guarantee program is available for Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Lineworker Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, and Instrumentation.

Gomez said anyone interested in welding should look at TSTC first.

“All of the machines and equipment we have is great,” he said. “This is a great place to learn.”

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC student triumphs over adversity

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The encouragement of a friend and a charismatic instructor helped Shyann Kocurek make the decision to enroll at Texas State Technical College.

The El Campo native recently earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Environmental Technology – Compliance while experiencing one of the greatest hardships in life. Now she is eager to get to work, and she is grateful for the help she received at TSTC.

“My best friend had just started working at TSTC and encouraged me to talk with an instructor named Ms. (Maria) Vaughan,” she said. “I ended up loving what she had to say about the Environmental Technology – Compliance program, and I enrolled the following semester.”

Vaughan spoke fondly of Kocurek.

“Shyann has shown a great amount of initiative from the very beginning of the program,” she said. “She is always striving to improve and get ahead of the game. She is strong, dedicated and motivated.”

Students in the Environmental Technology – Compliance program learn about how environmental and safety standards are combined. Vaughan said that the creativity involved in the curriculum made for class time that was never boring.

“Students learn about the environmental regulations, what they mean, how to implement rules, and in essence how to be compliant with federal and state regulations,” she said. “Sometimes it is like ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’ in my lab.”

Kocurek was determined to complete the program, even as she suffered a devastating loss.

“My mom passed away in June,” she said. “I had a hard time trying to keep going to finish with my goal I had set for myself.”

But Kocurek persevered. She received TSTC’s Texan Success Scholarship, which she says helped alleviate much of the worry she felt about paying for the program she grew to love.

“That scholarship helped me,” she said. “At the time, I did not have the money to pay for the first payment on the payment plan that I was on, but that scholarship took care of almost all of my tuition. It saved me.”

Vaughan recalled the resilience shown by Kocurek.

“She is an amazingly strong young woman,” she said. “Seeing her pain and loss, and seeing her good work ethic come through during that time, she reminded me how important it is to remember our ‘why.’ It was easy to see that her ‘why’ is her love for her family.”

Kocurek has some advice for those who follow in her footsteps at TSTC.

“Set goals for yourself, and do not let anything deter you from those goals,” she said. “Always ask questions, no matter the situation. There is always someone at TSTC who is willing to help. Without asking questions, you do not learn, and if you do not learn, you do not grow.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Granger student builds on new welding skills at TSTC

(HUTTO, Texas) – Among the drywalling and framing tasks she was doing with her father for a barn project last spring at the family home in Granger, Mikayla Larremore picked up an affinity for welding she did not know she had.

“I got into it because everything I had done in my life before, I was good at,” she said.

The discovery changed her mind about what she wanted to do in her career. Larremore went from studying psychology at a university to enrolling last fall at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus in the Welding Technology program. She said she enjoys welding because it means job security.

Larremore, now in her second semester at TSTC, did not see the program’s work area until her first day of classes. She is taking three classes at night this semester and said she enjoys using what she learns and applying it.

“I like being around people who like the same kinds of things I like,” she said.

Charli Wright, an instructor in TSTC’s Welding Technology program, said Larremore is exceptional at what she does.

“She is motivated, organized and is not afraid to get behind the hood and put in the practice to become a good welder,” Wright said. “Mikayla is very inquisitive and is able to take constructive criticism and turn it into success.”

Larremore said she has adjusted well to the hybrid teaching that program instructors are doing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lectures and reading are done online, and hands-on work is done in labs.

“It has not been a big deal for me,” she said. “I thought a lot about that. I have always grown up in the middle of nowhere. I’m used to doing things remotely anyway and not being around a lot of people.”

Larremore is around horses a lot. She said she learned how to ride horses before she could walk.

“I barrel-raced the entire time I was in school until I started playing sports in seventh grade,” she said. “I took a break and started back roping. I do calf roping and started team roping. There is an arena in Georgetown where I go to rope once a week.”

Larremore took dual enrollment classes while at Granger High School and was quickly able to earn an associate degree in psychology. She continued her education at a university and completed a semester before taking time off and deciding to enroll at TSTC.

Larremore’s career plan is to start her own business, possibly focusing on farm and ranch welding, in Central Texas. Her advice to women interested in welding is not to feel discouraged and just to be themselves.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that more than 452,000 brazers, cutters, solderers and welders will be needed by 2029.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu. 

TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology program adapts to teaching during pandemic

(WACO, Texas) – Erik Trujillo worked with two other students on a recent morning assembling an engine in Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Engine Testing and Repair II class.

Trujillo, of Elgin, is in his second semester working on a certificate in the Diesel Equipment Technology program at the Waco campus. He is optimistic about the future as he dons a campus-required mask during the class lab.

“I enjoy learning and being here, but I also want to get started working,” he said.

Trujillo, like all of TSTC’s students, has adjusted to learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since spring 2020, TSTC’s programs have been taught either exclusively online or in a hybrid format that combines online lectures with on-campus labs. 

For Trujillo, he said he has adapted well.

“I enjoy getting the experience of learning every day,” he said.

TSTC students, faculty and staff continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in wearing masks, not gathering in groups, and sanitizing hands and work areas. All of this is being done to fight the spread of COVID-19.

The Diesel Equipment Technology program is emphasizing the disinfectant spraying of tables before and after classes and requiring everyone to wear Level 1 masks. Faculty members also use timers to ensure that students who work in groups only spend 15 minutes at a time together, then take a break to wash and sanitize their hands before returning to work.

David Folz, the program’s lead instructor, said there is a lot of material to cover in labs while students are on campus. He said even one missed day can put students behind and make it tougher to catch up.

Brad Brownlee, of San Antonio, is in his fourth semester in TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program in Waco. He works at a tractor-trailer-washing business, where he gets to look up close at engines. He said he likes in-person lectures better because questions can be asked quicker and there is more interaction. He said instructors try to include as much information as possible during in-person labs.

“The labs here are pretty amazing,” he said. “The instructors are amazing. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.”

The Diesel Equipment Technology program has more than 180 students this semester, Folz said. He said with smaller classes, more sections are created to accommodate everyone. The program accepts students each fall, spring and summer.

“That’s a good thing in a way,” he said. “We are limiting students to 15 per class.”

Folz said the pandemic has not diminished employers’ interest in the program’s students.

“There is still a lot of work out there,” he said. “People are wanting to get in to do interviews with our students.”

Due to campus visitor restrictions, emails are sent to program instructors to let students know where jobs are available.

Jacob Welker, of Gatesville, was recently offered a part-time paid internship at United Ag & Turf in Temple. He said the internship will work well for him because of his class schedule.

Welker is scheduled to graduate this semester from TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program and is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology – Off-Highway Specialization. He is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Welker said he was glad to take classes focusing on brake systems and how tractor-trailers function.  

“I am glad I got the extra classes I needed,” he said.

The demand for diesel service technicians and mechanics is projected to rise to more than 290,000 nationally by 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Texas, workers made an annual mean wage of more than $49,000 in 2019, according to the agency.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.