TSTC Aircraft Pilot Training Technology program maintains health, safety during pandemic

(WACO, Texas) – Dylan Durst said he was glad to be back in the cockpit as he took off for his first flight late last spring at Texas State Technical College’s airport in Waco after a two-month break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was about picking up where you left off,” he said.

Durst, who grew up in Mason and graduated from high school in Katy, is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Pilot Training Technology at TSTC. He is scheduled to graduate this spring.

Durst and other students returned to classes and flew briefly after spring break in March of 2020. When TSTC converted classes to online and temporarily ceased face-to-face learning later that month, flight students were grounded until late May. The program then implemented a hybrid learning approach.

“We have been very fortunate that we have been able to continue operations in a manner that has proven safe,” said Greg Russell, chief instructor in TSTC’s Aircraft Pilot Training Technology program. “It may sound cliche, but our success as a department has come from the aviators’ ability to constantly evaluate and mitigate risks while adjusting to an ever-changing environment.”

The program’s 12 certified flight instructors returned to campus in early May to do training on sanitizing techniques and personal protection equipment. Students returned in mid-May for a week of their own health and safety training. The instructors and students also studied material data safety sheets to know all of the chemicals to be used for sanitizing aircraft before and after flights.

Everyone must abide by health and safety guidelines from TSTC and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding hand washing, masks and social distancing when possible.

“It’s been extraordinary for sure,” said Ryan Lee, a flight instructor at TSTC. “The students have done well adapting to the protocols and procedures.”

Before students climbed back into the cockpit, they spent time using flight simulators to acclimate themselves to flying after their break. Durst said he was glad to have that opportunity to focus his mind again on flying.

Russell stressed the importance of students’ experience with actual planes.

“Our program requires that students be hands-on in the aircraft to practice procedures, checklists and aircraft control,” he said. “Students and our department would not have survived to this point without the ability to use in-person training.”

Lee said that due to the airplane sanitizing the students must undertake, flight blocks have been extended from two hours to two and a half hours. Students are required to fly at least three times a week. Lee said the increased flight time is good for students because they get to spend more time flying with instructors.

“We lost a lot of ground with our students,” Lee said. “We had a huge gap to make up with the students to make them proficient.”

There are positive aspects that Durst and Lee are taking away from the pandemic’s changes to teaching at TSTC.

Lee predicts better sanitizing operations for airplanes in the future.

“People expect to travel,” he said. “I think we are still in the golden age of transportation. I think we will bounce back really quickly.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a need for 45,000 commercial pilots by 2029. The number of airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers is projected to grow to more than 87,000.

“Right now would be the best time to start their aviation training,” Lee said. “The new students really need to know that a lot of the airlines offered early retirement to pilots. There will be a new shortage of pilots along with the preexisting shortage.”

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

Carthage resident secures job before TSTC graduation

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Micah Johnson, of Carthage, looks forward not only to graduating this semester from Texas State Technical College, but also to starting work shortly thereafter as an instrumentation technician at Phillips 66’s Sweeny Refinery in Brazoria County.

“I’m excited for sure,” Johnson said. “It is something new. It is going to take me out of my comfort zone a little bit, but I am ready. I am due for something else, a different environment.”

Johnson is scheduled to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automation and Controls Technology from TSTC’s Marshall campus. The program teaches students about calibration, computer instrumentation, engineering design, programmable logic controllers, robotics interfacing, and maintenance and troubleshooting.

“My instructors are really good at what they do,” Johnson said. “They are knowledgeable and have the answer to pretty much any questions you have.”

Douglas Clark, an instructor in TSTC’s Automation and Controls Technology program, said Johnson comes to class ready to learn and sometimes helps his classmates when they need guidance in understanding class material.

“When I first met Micah, I could tell right away that he was a kind, courteous, respectful young man and possessed a strong moral compass,” Clark said. “That came across in his demeanor.”

Johnson applied for a job at Phillips 66 last fall before noticing the company would be part of TSTC’s virtual industry job fair. He did a short informal interview with company human resources staff and a plant manager during the online event. He later received an email from the company indicating that they were interested in learning more about him.

Johnson went through a series of virtual and in-person interviews, along with a refinery tour late last fall, before being offered a job shortly after Christmas. He is scheduled to finish the hiring process in April and start work in May.

“I am sure they (Phillips 66) saw in him the same thing I saw when I first met him,” Clark said. 

After graduating from Carthage High School, Johnson took general studies classes at a local college but was unsure of what he wanted to do. He also got a job as a helper at an automation and measurement company.

Johnson’s cousin, Jarod Blissett, was attending TSTC’s Marshall campus to study in the Industrial Controls Technology program, the predecessor to the Automation and Controls Technology program.

“He would run me through what they were looking at and show me the assignments they were working on at school,” Johnson said. “It was really interesting.”

Johnson’s cousin motivated him to enroll at TSTC. He even arranged for Clark to meet Johnson and give him a tour of the campus.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that there will be a need for 15,100 electromechanical technicians by 2029. In Texas, electromechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians made an annual mean wage of $56,750 in May 2019, according to the federal agency.

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

TSTC Automotive Technology students cherish time in shop with instructors

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology program provides students with something they cannot find in textbooks: first-hand knowledge.

Students Tanner Tankersley and Brady Kennemur said instructors Mike Myers and Gerod Strother bring their knowledge to the lab sessions in a way that helps them prepare for the workforce.

“The best aspect of this program is the hands-on approach taught by Mike and Gerod,” Kennemur said. “They show us how things work and how things are made.”

Tankersley said the instructors are preparing students for a career.

“They are teaching us everything we need to know in order to be ready for our profession,” he said. “You are taught a lot more by people who have experience.”

Automotive work was not the first career choice for Kennemur.

“I wanted to be a computer engineer. That is something I had been learning since I was 15,” he said. “But then I found out there is nothing better than fixing a car. And most cars have computers in them.”

Kennemur toured the TSTC campus while attending Big Spring High School, but the automotive department was closed that day.

“I had a feeling about the program and decided to tour it,” he said. “I came back and enrolled in the program later that day.”

Tankersley, of Rotan, said he always enjoyed working on cars, and taking classes at TSTC will help him in the future.

“I enjoy being around everyone and working together,” he said. “I hope to continue learning things to prepare me for work.”

Both students return home and work on vehicles and with families and friends.

“I can show them some of the certain things I learned in class,” Tankersley said.

Kennemur said people interested in an automotive career should consider TSTC first.

“There is not a friendlier environment than what is here at TSTC,” he said. “If you are planning to go into mechanics, the more hands-on work you get, the better. We get the best hands-on work from the best instructors. They want us to succeed.”

For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC awarded grant to assist former students returning to college

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College was recently awarded a Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant in the amount of $300,000 by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

Reskilling grants allow Texas higher education institutions to provide financial assistance to students who are experiencing adversities and have had to drop out of college because of them. The grant is supported by a portion of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund allocated by the THECB.

“As we help rebuild the Texas economy, getting individuals employed in high-paying jobs is at the forefront of our mission,” said TSTC associate vice chancellor of enrollment management Christine Stuart-Carruthers. “This grant focuses on students who have been out of college for at least a semester, have less than a year to go to graduate, and need assistance with tuition above what their financial aid covers.”

Funding will be used as a last dollar grant to cover the costs associated with tuition that a student’s financial aid package will not cover during their final year of college. A student’s eligibility may depend on whether they qualify for federal student aid, are enrolled in an undergraduate or workforce-accredited program, have been adversely affected by the pandemic, or are within 12 months of completing their program.

TSTC executive director of Resource Development Juan Garza said that these funds are specifically for students who have paused their studies.

“The money targets students that have stopped going to college in an effort to get them to return and complete a degree, or to pursue one of the eligible Occupational Skills Award (OSA) programs.”

TSTC has transitioned several programs to remote learning, a gesture that Stuart-Carruthers said may entice students to return.

“We have approximately 40 programs that are offered online,” she said. “We are hoping this will assist students who may be working to fit college into their schedule.”

TSTC students interested in seeing if they qualify for the funding are encouraged to reach out to a TSTC enrollment coach.

For more information, or to see if you qualify, please call 1-855-211-9805 or email getregistered@tstc.edu.

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

TSTC instructor receives Chancellor’s Award for Excellence

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Alan Sulak has been quietly imparting his vast knowledge of cybersecurity to Texas State Technical College students for a little over four years. His efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Recently he was named a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence, a recognition given to TSTC staff and faculty who have shown selfless dedication to TSTC’s mission.

In an email, TSTC Chancellor and CEO Mike Reeser said that Sulak’s colleagues described him as being an exemplary leader and a trusted colleague.

Sulak discussed what the recognition means to him, and the importance of cybersecurity.

Why did you decide on a career in cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the subject of everything that is information technology-related today. With many years of experience in designing and implementing systems, including infrastructure and security appliances, it was a natural progression for me to move into the cybersecurity field.

What does it mean to you to have this recognition from your peers?

It is pleasing to see that my peers at TSTC have confidence in me and what I have been part of since I started. We really try to work together as a family at TSTC.

What do you think makes the cybersecurity program at TSTC different from that at any other college?

The Cybersecurity program tries to ensure that our students get hands-on experience in the latest technologies. We are also recognized as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love making a difference to our students, as well as helping everybody at TSTC get their job done with excellence.

 

TSTC recently introduced a fast-paced Workforce Training cybersecurity boot camp that will feature eight industry-grade foundational courses to equip students with the knowledge they need to get them into the world of cybersecurity. To learn more, visit https://tstc.edu/workforce/bootcamps.

For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

 

TSTC’s Cybersecurity program prepares students for rapidly growing career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The world’s shift to all things digital means that cybersecurity will play an even bigger role in how we spend our time online.

Texas State Technical College’s Cybersecurity program is dedicated to teaching students what they need to know in order to thrive in their careers as cybersecurity analysts.

TSTC Cybersecurity instructor Alan Sulak said the curriculum that students are introduced to is similar to what they will experience once they begin their careers in the real world.

“We strive to ensure that our students get hands-on experience in the latest technologies,” he said.

Additionally, students are given insight into the process of job hunting.

“Students are assisted with resume writing and dressing for success, and they go through an interview practicum with TSTC’s Career Services,” said instructor Cesar Ibarra.

Sulak added that TSTC’s program boasts an important credential.

“We are recognized by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.”

To receive such recognition, institutions must establish standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence, value community outreach and professional development, and actively engage in solutions to issues that may arise in cybersecurity.

“Cybersecurity is not just important for our safety, but it is a way of life that we have to live,” Ibarra said. “I usually tell my students to follow two important ways of living: Keep things confidential, and have integrity.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analyst jobs are expected to grow by 31 percent through the end of the decade.

TSTC recently introduced a fast-paced Workforce Training cybersecurity boot camp that will feature eight industry-grade foundational courses to equip students with the knowledge they need to get them into the world of cybersecurity. To learn more, visit https://tstc.edu/workforce/bootcamps.

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

 

TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology student working toward career

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Andres Garza, of Ballinger, knows the key to finding a good-paying job is working on his education.

Garza began his second semester in Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program with a goal of graduating and getting a job. He knows it will take time to earn his degree, but he is enjoying his time in the lab.

“I learned a lot about how the truck works,” Garza said of his first semester in the program. “I am looking forward to what will come this semester.”

During the first week of the spring semester, Garza and other students were working on a diesel transmission system.

“Right now, it is a bit challenging learning about the transmission,” he said. “I know that by doing the work during the lab sessions I will be able to master working on the engine.”

One of the reasons Garza enjoys the lab sessions is that it is easier for him to pick up what is being taught. Garza said he suffers from dyslexia and struggles with the online portion of the class. He said the instructors have helped him navigate the course.

“I like the hands-on work we do. It is fast-paced and easier for me to pick up,” he said. “Once I learn something, it sticks in my head and I can do it.”

Garza said attending TSTC was always a goal for him. Before enrolling, he wanted to work toward a commercial driver’s license, which would take two years to complete.

“I decided if it was going to take me two years to get my CDL, I might as well go to school and learn even more,” he said. “I have not had one regret making that decision.”

The love for diesel trucks came naturally for Garza. Some members of his family have driven trucks and have mechanic backgrounds.

“Over time, I started to enjoy working on vehicles. I told myself I should work on the bigger trucks,” he said. “I knew I would be able to make more money that way.”

Instructor Lane White said students can expect well-paying jobs after graduation.

“Once the pandemic is under control, more companies are going to be hiring people,” he said. “We are here to help our students get ready for work. Because no matter what the economy looks like, trucks are going to be rolling on the roads.”  

For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Veterans work toward second career at TSTC

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has a goal of helping military veterans transition into the workforce.

Two such veterans are completing their final semester in TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program this semester and are ready to get into the field.

U.S. Navy veteran Curtis Kelley, of Austin, worked as an electrician while serving our country and is working toward an associate degree. He found TSTC’s program while searching online for colleges with wind energy programs.

“I was looking at different trade schools and came across TSTC, and it hit me to look at it even more,” he said. “I have really enjoyed the program, and I am really excited to be back in the lab.”

Kelley said veterans should look into the programs at TSTC.

“TSTC is a great school if veterans are looking to follow a similar path they had in the service,” he said. “If it is not something you may not know about, TSTC has programs worth looking at.”

While Kelley has not put out job feelers at this time, he knows the instructors are the best contacts to have.

“They know this industry and will help us when the time comes to find a job,” he said.

U.S. Air Force veteran Lawrence Bowman said he always had an interest in how wind turbines work. He also found TSTC through an internet search.

“I picked TSTC because of the hands-on approach it offered,” he said. “I knew there would be a lot of online work, but it was the work in the labs that grabbed my attention.”

Like Kelley, Bowman, who is originally from Pennsylvania, said he would recommend TSTC to fellow veterans.

“TSTC is a fast-track school and will get you back in the field,” he said. “I know some veterans do not want to spend four years in school, so this is perfect.”

Bowman also said many veterans with mechanical backgrounds would benefit from TSTC’s programs.

“People who work in this field will find a program that fits their style,” he said.

Bowman said he does not have a preference of where he finds a job after earning his associate degree.

“Being in the Air Force, I am used to moving around. I could end up overseas, but we have to see what happens,” he said.

For more information on how TSTC can help veterans, visit https://tstc.edu/veterans.

TSTC Emergency Medical Services student one year away from achieving goal

(ABILENE Texas) – Texas State Technical College Emergency Medical Services student Laura Jungling is close to achieving a major milestone in her life.

“I began the paramedic program this week, and I am one year from my goal of becoming a paramedic,” she said.

Like many people, Jungling enrolled in the EMS program with a specific purpose.

“It might sound cliche, but my reason for becoming an EMT was my desire to help people,” she said. “I also wanted to give back to the community.”

Jungling, who recently passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification exam, said she looks forward to the variety of experiences she will encounter in the field.

“I know that not one day will be the same,” she said. “I know that every call will be different.”

Jungling said she considered other options for a medical career, but nursing was not something she wanted to pursue.

“A lot of the schools I looked at offered nursing, but I wanted something fast-paced,” she said.

The more Jungling explored TSTC’s program, the more impressed she became. Once she started taking classes and participating in lab sessions, she knew it was the right decision.

“I really appreciate the instructors. They push us on a daily basis not to fail,” she said. “They really want every student to succeed.”

Jungling said instructors prepared students in every aspect of becoming an EMT from the first day of class.

“They have been through this in the field. They would not let us do anything that they have not done first,” she said.

She also chose TSTC because of the program’s success rate. Instructor Richard Sharp said students who recently completed the program had a 100 percent passing rate on the certification exam, and each graduate found employment.

Jungling knows once she completes the paramedic program, she will be able to find a job that pays well.

“An entry-level paramedic can expect to make in excess of $45,000 to $50,000 a year,” Sharp said.

With a new group of EMS students beginning this month, Jungling said they should not get discouraged.

“There can be some times of uncertainty during the program,” she said. “Just remember that the instructors will give you every single tool you need to be successful.” 

For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC’s Business Management Technology program offers job opportunities, resources

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Business Management Technology program can provide graduates with job opportunities and resources.

For 2020 graduate Sarah Smith, now a student recruiter at TSTC, she is using what she learned to promote the college while improving her organizational skills.

“I gained a lot of sales skills and organizational skills in the program,” she said. “I have modeled my work style from what I learned in the program.”

Smith is also able to tell students how studying online will benefit them and how instructors are always available.

“The instructors are very easy to work with,” she said. “They are consistently in contact with their students.”

One key area in which Smith said she saw improvement in herself was time management.

“I learned that to do things online, you do not need to get overwhelmed,” she said. “Our instructors are going to be checking on you. The program showed me the importance of time management.”

Instructor Duston Brooks said students of all ages and backgrounds have registered for the program. He said one student who worked as a truck driver completed the program while on the road.

“He could not attend a class on campus, so he took his laptop with him,” Brooks said. “And whenever he had time off the road, he would work on his online classes. So we were able to serve his needs. With the COVID situation now and the aftermath, I think the demand for online education will only grow.”

Smith said having completed online courses herself helps her while recruiting students to TSTC.

“For people who have to work or have children, completing the programs online was perfect for me,” she said.

In addition to organization and time management skills, students can expect to learn other skills needed in a business office. These skills include word processing, presentation graphics, accounting and business ethics, principles of accounting, computerized accounting, principles of management, small business operations and payroll accounting. 

For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.