TSTC student gains hands-on skills in Automotive Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Rey Rocha has always had an interest in gears, transmissions and engines.

Now he is gearing up to receive his Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from Texas State Technical College this fall, and he already has a full-time job lined up.

Rocha is currently working part time at Boggus Ford in Harlingen through TSTC’s cooperative education program as a technician’s assistant, an opportunity that will transition to full time after he graduates this fall.

“I chose to study automotive technology because I have an interest in the theory and combined systems that come together and make the modern vehicle,” Rocha said. “I like using tools and dexterity to accomplish a job.”

The accomplishment he feels after completing a vehicle repair is what drives him to continue to thrive in the field.

“Nothing beats the feeling of being able to troubleshoot the fault in a vehicle, repair it, turn the key on, and hear the vehicle come back to life,” he said.

Eventually Rocha would like to become a recognized Ford technician transmission specialist. His time at TSTC is helping him achieve that goal.

“The hands-on aspect of the program is a fun and necessary experience for those entering the automotive field,” he said. “Our instructors not only teach us the ins and outs of the automotive world, but they also provide life skills that will help make students successful.”

The tactics for success used at TSTC extend beyond the automotive technology curriculum.

“I feel one of the biggest impacts is how students are grouped in the program,” Rocha said. “The class you start with is the same class you graduate with. This grouping creates a camaraderie that helps boost the experience, friendship and comfortability that I feel all students can benefit from.”

The support he has received from his instructors has not gone unnoticed.

“They (instructors) recognize the skills and talents in their students and build off that to create success, and constantly remind students about opportunities related to the automotive field to give them that first step through the door.”

TSTC Automotive Technology instructor Miguel Zoleta has seen Rocha grow as a technician since he began the program.

“Rey has shown so much improvement in his automotive skills since his first semester,” Zoleta said. “We have received great feedback regarding his work with Boggus Ford. He has a lot of initiative and is going to do great in his career.”

Rocha said his greatest sense of accomplishment is embarking into an industry that he loves, and he is grateful that TSTC’s Automotive Technology program helped him find that.

“It offered education, motivation and support,” he said. “I am taking on a career path that I have the utmost confidence and passion for.”

Fall registration is underway. For more information, visit https://tstc.edu/admissions.

TSTC tour inspired HS student to pursue surgical technology

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – As she was wrapping up her final year of high school, Mary Guerrero knew that she wanted to spend her career helping others.

A senior class trip to Texas State Technical College helped guide her right where she needed to be. Now the Santa Rosa native is ready to embark on a new journey when she receives her Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology from TSTC later this month.

“We visited TSTC on a class trip during my senior year,” she said. “I remember meeting Mr. Robert Sanchez when we were taking a tour of all the programs offered. Seeing how passionate he was about the Surgical Technology program helped me realize that it was the perfect career for me.”

Guerrero credits Sanchez, who retired from his position as a Surgical Technology instructor in 2019, as being one of the biggest reasons she pursued the degree.

“If it wasn’t for him being there during my class trip to give us a tour, I probably would have never heard about the program and would have most likely gone into a completely different profession.”

Sanchez said that Guerrero’s knack for overcoming bumps in the road will benefit her as she begins her next chapter.

“She does not let obstacles get in her way,” he said. “The perseverance she has will allow her to do very well in her career.”

Guerrero enjoyed the positive relationships she formed during her time as a TSTC student.

“My experience was truly life-changing,” she said. “I’ve met so many people and have built friendships during my time at TSTC. The instructors were very supportive of their students, and I could not even imagine being able to get through this program if it wasn’t for them. They have been amazing.”

Registration for the fall semester is underway. To apply to TSTC, visit https://www.tstc.edu/admissions.

Student safety top priority at TSTC this fall

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County has been diligently preparing for the fall semester.

The coronavirus has brought about many challenges, including the way students are receiving curriculum. Even with the necessary changes, TSTC is ready to safely continue its hands-on technical education.

“All departments were tasked with devising innovative ways to adhere to social distancing requirements while maintaining critical instruction,” said Associate Provost Bryan Bowling.

Many of the on-campus labs previously required students to share workstations and form groups to complete projects. Space to conduct mandatory labs is often at a premium, and in many cases social distancing requirements can exacerbate the issue.

“While some programs mitigated COVID-19 restrictions with additional sections and creative scheduling, we approached this with an all-options-are-on-the-table mentality,” Bowling said.

While the entire campus in Fort Bend County has been preparing to safely welcome students back later this month, Robotics Technology has been particularly creative.

“There are barriers between each station to maintain social distancing requirements,” Bowling said. “In short, with these barriers in place, all students in the classroom have near-unfettered access to the computer workstations and controlled access to the robots.”

Robotics Technology instructor Charles Sparks said that students had no problem with the safety protocols.

“All barriers took less than a day to put up,” he said. “Students adjusted immediately, and we have already been using them for the entire summer semester.”

Bowling said that many nicknames for the barriers emerged as they were coming to fruition, and he even took a liking to one of them.

“Cootie Barrier 5,000 is my personal favorite.”

TSTC’s COVID-19 guidelines dictate that all students and employees on campus wear masks and social distance at all times. These guidelines were originally implemented in March, but have been reinforced for the Fall 2020 semester.

Registration for the fall semester is currently underway. To apply to TSTC, visit https://www.tstc.edu/admissions.

 

TSTC student helps people at hometown treatment facility

(ABILENE, Texas) – Abilene’s Ashli Arispe wants to give people a second chance.

That is why she attended Texas State Technical College’s Chemical Dependency Counseling program in Abilene. She is on track to graduate later this month with a certificate of completion from TSTC.

“I think everyone deserves a second chance,” she said. “My nature has always been to help people. I volunteered in high school and have always liked helping others.”

Arispe works for ABODE Treatment in Abilene. She said the facility’s acronym, short for Adult Basic Opportunity Development and Environment, depicts how the treatment center works to help people.

Arispe is pleased to be working in her hometown for a facility that also has outpatient offices in Dallas-Fort Worth.

“I know the chemical dependency counseling options are limited here. I knew when I registered for the program there would be a good chance I would have to leave,” she said. “But this is the best of both worlds — I can help others and be in my hometown.”

Arispe, a graduate of Abilene High School, who also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, said the company provides “endless opportunities.”

“I hope to stay with the company for a long time and work my way up. I want to help more people, and help them plant their seeds and watch them sprout,” she said.

Arispe is already utilizing what she has learned in class.

“The hands-on approach was great. Everything that I learned in class, I am using now and will use throughout my career,” she said.

Arispe said her instructors taught practical things students can use on a daily basis.

“The way things were presented in class, it was presented in a way that you would know how to use it in the field,” she said.

Arispe was drawn to TSTC because of the relationships with counselors in the region.

“The partnerships are great. Companies are looking for people with work experience,” she said.

Arispe’s next goal is to complete her required 4,000 hours of counseling to become state certified to practice.

The Chemical Dependency Counseling program is offered at the Abilene, Breckenridge and Brownwood campuses. An Associate of Applied Science degree allows students to become a practicing licensed chemical dependency counselor intern.

Students who have a degree in the human services field, like Arispe, can take the certification program to secure a licensed chemical dependency counselor intern credential.

Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, go to https://tstc.edu/admissions.

Aguirre brings experience to TSTC’s Welding Technology program

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Daniel Aguirre, a lifelong resident of Brownwood, is ready to pass his knowledge of welding on to the next generation.

Aguirre will begin his first year as Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology instructor in Brownwood this fall. This will be his first time teaching welding, and he said he is excited to be part of the TSTC family.

“I have not taught before, so this will be a new experience. The faculty and staff in Brownwood have been so willing to help me,” Aguirre said. “I will learn so much from them because they have been teaching a long time. They have given me so many pointers since I have been here.”

Aguirre has set one goal for himself as an educator.

“I need to balance out my welding experience with what I am going to have to teach from the textbook. There is so much you can learn by doing,” he said. “I will have to incorporate that into my teaching style.”

In Brownwood, Aguirre said students will have a good facility to work in when lab sessions begin.

“We have good equipment in the shop. The students will be able to learn a lot in the lab,” he said.

One thing Aguirre wants students to know is that safety comes first.

“Safety is the top priority. I want them to learn how to be safe in the shop and to work safely on a job,” he said.

According to Aguirre, students will learn what companies expect from welders.

“I want the students to be in the mindset of knowing what it is like to work in the real world,” he said. “If they know what is expected of them, they will be able to succeed.”

That is where Aguirre’s experience will come into play during the year. As a teenager, Aguirre helped his father repair rail cars and later worked for a railroad company repairing cars.

“We would weld the rail cars that were damaged. We would work on them and get them going again,” he said.

After his career in the railroad, Aguirre worked for an oil field company in which he welded equipment. He did that until the welding instruction position opened at TSTC.

“At first, I did not know if I was a good fit, but (former instructor Robert Whitley) talked me into applying,” he said. “We have been buddies for years, and I was eager to try teaching out. There is nothing more gratifying than teaching young welders the tricks of our trade.”

Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, go to https://tstc.edu/admissions.

TSTC Nursing student wants to help others

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Rising Star’s Crystal Funderburk has a passion for helping others.

Funderburk’s passion led her to Texas State Technical College to further her education. She is a candidate to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing this summer.

“I am a 33-year-old mom of three boys, and I have a passion to help others. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nurse,” she said. “I was an LVN and decided to further my education to become an RN.”

She said attending TSTC opened doors for her in the nursing field. During her final semester, Funderburk talked to several clinics in the region and is exploring job options.

“I am keeping all of my doors open, especially in the times we are living in,” she said.

Funderburk commended the Sweetwater faculty for helping her and other students throughout the program.

“They are aware of everything that is going on around the students. They will extend a hand to help you with anything, both in class and away from school,” she said. “That made going to class and attending clinicals easier for me.”

While the program was demanding, Funderburk said the instructors made it “smooth sailing.”

“Academically, you could lean on the instructors for assistance at any time,” she said. “The coursework is laid out where we could understand things. The instructors set it up that way so we could all succeed.”

Funderburk, who grew up in Glen Rose, said her passion for helping others is a way of life for many nurses. She knows the profession is in the spotlight today and hopes more people join her on the front line.

“There is a huge caseload of testing and helping people now. But for nurses, this is a way of life,” she said. “With all of the testing going on and people being treated, there needs to be more hands on deck to help people. Many hospitals are short-staffed right now.”

Funderburk is ready to be part of the front line.

“Anything I can do to help the work flow easier, I will do it,” she said.

Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, go to https://tstc.edu/admissions.

TSTC Alumni Keep Biomedical Equipment Functioning at College Station Company

(WACO, Texas) – As doctors and nurses battle the COVID-19 pandemic, biomedical equipment technicians are alongside them keeping devices and machines functioning.

CardioQuip in College Station has two Texas State Technical College alumni encountering the most serious work they have done so far in their careers. David De La Hoya is a training associate and Noe Martinez is a training manager at the company.

The company’s equipment is used in the cardiovascular and respiratory therapy fields. The equipment includes mini-carts and cooler-heater systems.

“The maintenance and upkeep for medical equipment is very important and crucial,” De La Hoya said. “There is not a single device you can create that does not need upkeep or maintenance. It gives the technicians purpose knowing (that) potentially any biomedical device can save a life.”

Martinez said he and his co-workers are reminded that the equipment they work on is going to be connected to somebody.

“That could be someone close to you,” he said. “You cannot just go and work on a device and just think it is a piece of machinery. It is not. It is connected to someone, helping them get through their obstacle in life that unfortunately has been something negative like an illness or procedure. You always have to remember at the end of the day, what you are working on makes a difference.”

Martinez’s work involves coordinating and implementing training for technicians and overseas business suppliers. He and De La Hoya recently completed trainings by teleconference for Chinese and German counterparts.

“We have had to learn and adapt and overcome these obstacles that COVID-19 has brought up in front of our industry,” Martinez said. “We have learned about media equipment and software, and how best to use those applications to help the end users and customers learn how to use our devices.”

Service work on equipment must still be done in person. Martinez said having access to hospitals now means that additional steps must be taken. He said some hospitals require a negative COVID-19 test 48 hours before arrival to work on equipment, and there are more disinfecting and sanitizing protocols.

“We have to have technicians get tested or just have records of having negative tests prior to showing up to the facility,” Martinez said.

Martinez recounted a recent trip to the Northeast for an emergency device repair.

“It is a lot different than when I first started traveling,” he said. “The airport used to be very busy, and security lines used to be very long.  Now, airports are quiet, security lines are short, and there are more precautions and more social distancing.”

During the pandemic, De La Hoya has been to a hospital four times for training purposes.

“Noe and I are kind of like a home base, kind of like a call center, on call for the technicians due to the fact there are different time zones,” De La Hoya said. “We always have to watch out for the technicians. They go on their own schedule and may need service information throughout that time. Not only do we do training, but we are master technicians.”

De La Hoya joined CardioQuip shortly after graduating from TSTC‘s Waco campus in 2019. He earned associate degrees in Biomedical Equipment Technology and Medical Imaging Systems Technology Specialist. He started as a field service technician, traveling the country on work assignments. Now he works with new technicians to ease them into the company’s work.

“Once the training team feels like they have got a basic understanding of the unit, we take them out in the field,” De La Hoya said. “Either Noe or I will take them out, or a senior technician, and show them how to implement the knowledge and communicate in the field.”

De La Hoya said prospective students, who are either in high school or already in the workforce and need a change, do not necessarily have to go to a four-year university.

“TSTC can be a great stepping-stone to create opportunities in your career,” he said. “I believe technical colleges are underrated. You can make a great living going to a two-year school and be fine with that the rest of your life.”

De La Hoya grew up in Italy, Texas in Ellis County and is a graduate of Italy High School. He knew people who had gone to TSTC, but a recruiter who visited his agriculture class during his junior year made him think about his future.

“One thing that geared me toward TSTC is how affordable it is compared to other colleges in the area,” De La Hoya said. “I wanted to invest in myself.”

Martinez grew up in Fredericksburg and is a graduate of Fredericksburg High School. He became familiar with TSTC through a relative who graduated from the Automotive Technology program. Martinez graduated in 2017 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from TSTC’s Waco campus.

“All the knowledge I gained in the Automotive Technology program translated to the biomedical equipment field,” he said. “It wasn’t necessarily an easy transition. I did have to do my own self-educating to learn about specific things that were not in automotive technology education.”

Registration for the fall semester is underway.

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

TSTC Design Program Gets New Name, Curriculum

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology program has a new name and focus for the fall.

The program will shift to an all-online format with virtual labs. Josh Stampley, a program instructor, said faculty will use TSTC’s Moodle platform and Microsoft Whiteboard for teaching and interacting with students.

The revamped curriculum will emphasize two-dimensional and three-dimensional architectural, civil and mechanical drafting. 

“We give our students enough knowledge in each of these fields where they would be successful finding a job in the discipline they enjoy the most once they graduate,” said Samuel Pizano, TSTC’s statewide chair for the Drafting and Design Technology Department. “This also allows for our graduates to become more versatile CAD (computer aided drafting) technicians with a wide variety of skills they will be able to showcase in industry.”

The program will offer for the first time an Occupational Skills Award in Basic Computer Aided Drafting. Students will take three classes to complete the award in about four months.

“This is for a person who might have been doing a little drafting and needs more expertise,” Stampley said. “Hopefully this can pique an interest in getting the associate degree.”

Students will have access to AutoCAD, Autodesk, Civil 3D, Revit, Solid Works and Lumion software.

“Students can elect to learn additional softwares, such as ArcGIS Desktop and Plant 3D, depending on the specialization route they chose to follow,” Pizano said. “Along with gaining experience with these drafting and design softwares, students will be exposed to the different industry standards for the architectural, civil and mechanical drafting and design disciplines, including projects created to mimic real-world industry blueprints and designs.”

Cathy Boldt, associate director of professional development for the American Institute of Architects’ Dallas chapter, said when the economy is strong there is a demand for workers with experience in architectural design graphics.

“At this time, many of the architecture firms have had projects put on hold or cancelled, resulting in layoffs at those firms,” Boldt said. “This means the market is currently flooded with individuals who are experienced and who may be willing to do this type of job rather than have no job. The question is their level of expertise in today’s technologies.” 

Texas had more than 11,200 architectural and civil drafters in May 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The annual mean wage was more than $57,000. The Arlington-Dallas-Fort Worth area had the largest concentration of workers with more than 4,000. The Longview area had about 60 workers.

Pizano said program faculty recommends students apply for jobs in the drafting area they feel most confident and comfortable in.

“We have successfully placed our students in drafting and design careers across the state of Texas and we consistently have companies reaching out to us who are interested in hiring our students,” he said. “We have noticed a high demand for CAD technicians in the state of Texas which continues to to hold strong even in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Jobs for architectural and civil drafters are projected to rise to more than 103,000 by 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency attributes this to new jobs in the construction and engineering sectors.

Registration continues for the fall semester.

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

TSTC student shows resilience during pandemic

(WACO, Texas) – The current global climate has brought unforeseen bumps in the road for Texas State Technical College students. However, Marissa Hunsucker is one of many who have proven that despite trials and tribulations, there is nothing that can get in the way of those who are “TSTC strong.”

The Waco native recently utilized the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to help her and her family financially as she continues her studies. Expected to graduate next year, she is grateful for the opportunity not only to make it through her studies, but also for the chance to reiterate that TSTC students do not have to face difficult circumstances alone.

“I grew up less than a mile from campus,” said the Occupational Safety Compliance Technology student. “I knew that TSTC offered a wide variety of degree programs.”

Her past work experience motivated her to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in the program.

“When I was working in road construction, I saw firsthand how unsafe some of the situations we were put in on a daily basis were,” she recalled. “I want to hopefully make a difference for those who deal with road and infrastructure work. I want to create a safer work environment.”

The 25-year-old’s ultimate goal is to make a difference for others. But this semester, CARES Act funds made a difference for her.

“The funds helped me pay my utility bills and keep internet access,” Hunsucker said. “We were able to repair our only vehicle and keep food on the table.”

Despite having gone through hardships of her own, she has not lost her motivation to continue her degree with the desire to change lives. She also has a few words of encouragement for fellow TSTC students who may be experiencing tough times of their own.

“Keep thinking positive, and know that this is only temporary,” she said. “Stay determined and focused. Always ask for help when you need it. At TSTC, you never have to face something difficult alone.”

To learn more about CARES Act Funds at TSTC, visit https://www.tstc.edu/student_life/caresact.

 

TSTC offers a hands-on approach to Mechatronics Technology

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Robotics, machining, and computing, oh my! Mechatronics Technology at Texas State Technical College offers an exciting degree path to an even more exciting career. Lead instructor Eldwin Leija discussed some of the program’s courses, as well as the characteristics that make studying mechatronics at TSTC technically better.

What courses do you teach?

I teach a few of the basic courses for the program, such as digital circuits, electromechanical systems, and manufacturing robotics.

What is mechatronics, and what is the outlook for jobs in this industry?

Mechatronics is the study and use of multiple disciplines, such as industrial maintenance, industrial robotics technology, and process controls. To simplify, mechatronics technicians can go from working on oil rigs — maintaining pumping systems and all of the sensors and controls

that keep them running — to working inside a manufacturing shop.  We repair control systems that keep the manufacturing companies going strong.  The job outlook for mechatronics engineers is very healthy.

Why are jobs in mechatronics important?

We help maintain the equipment for the necessary products that we use every day.

What makes studying mechatronics at TSTC different?

We have a solid curriculum, supplemented with industry-relevant equipment. Even during these times, we have managed to have hands-on labs on campus while strictly following guidelines and regulations. Our staff has many years of relevant industry experience in mechatronics, and we help students find a career when they are done.

Fall registration is currently underway.

To learn more about Mechatronics Technology at TSTC, visit https://tstc.edu/programs/MechatronicsTechnology.