(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College teaches students the skills needed to thrive in the fast-growing career.

Instructors Manuel Ahumada and Mark Casares are on a mission to ensure that their students not only are familiar with the world of welding, but also are confident in their abilities from day one on the job.

“Welding Technology is the study of multiple processes, such as layout, fabrication, blueprint reading and welding automation, all combined with theory to produce a quality welder,” Ahumada said. “Learning all of these facets is important because it gives the student the necessary knowledge and hand skills required to perform at the highest level.”

TSTC’s program includes hands-on learning with high-end equipment that students will use once they are employed.

“Students have access to top-of-the-line equipment currently leading the industry,” Casares said. “This, and the fact that all the instructors in the department are well qualified with real-world experience, is what sets the program at TSTC apart from any other.”

Despite the global challenges that have impacted many this year, the number of welding jobs continues to climb. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for welders is expected to increase through 2029.

“Jobs in welding are very promising,” said Ahumada. “Even with the pandemic, the jobs are still there.”

Both instructors look forward to being able to continue sharing their love for welding with students each semester.

“I enjoy the fact that I could be impacting a student’s life in a positive and meaningful way,” Casares said.

Ahumada agreed.

“Our welding students are attending a college that prides itself on helping and teaching students from all kinds of welding backgrounds,” he said. “They will be part of a great welding program that will do everything in its power to teach them what they need to know. With TSTC instructors, and the drive to finish the program, you will become a great welder.”

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

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Amanda Guerrero knows what she wants to do in life: help others. The path to nursing was an obvious choice for the Harlingen native, and this December her mission to make a difference in her community will begin when she concludes her time in the TSTC Vocational Nursing program.

“I chose to study nursing because it is more than just waking up and doing the same thing day after day,” she said. “I felt I could make a difference in somebody’s life. The field of nursing branches out into so many paths, and though it is sometimes a thankless career, it comes with such a great reward.”

Guerrero does not have to look far to find inspiration from others in the field. Her mother, Araceli Guerrero, has been a nurse for 24 years and is proud that the legacy to serve has continued with her children.

“It is an honor that both of my daughters have taken on this career,” she said. “I am so proud of Amanda because she came across many obstacles and never gave up. She completed this journey with very minimal financial help from me. She saved and found the resources that she needed to pay her bills and go to school through the year. I know she is going to be a dedicated and caring nurse.”

Claudia Lopez, who has maintained a close friendship with Amanda Guerrero for over a decade, said that Guerrero’s work ethic has been evident from the beginning.

“Amanda is not the type to give up,” she said. “If she runs into an issue, she will figure out a plan and see something through. It makes me emotional thinking about what kind of nurse she is going to be because she is such a selfless person. Her reason in life is to help others.”

Ultimately Guerrero wants to soak in as much as she can in the field before beginning a new journey on the path to becoming a registered nurse.

“I hope to learn as much as possible during my first years as a new graduate,” she said. “I also want to get a job as a psychiatric nurse before continuing my education into the registered nursing program, which is a goal I hope to accomplish soon.”

No matter where her journey takes her, she is certain that this career is where she is meant to be.

“Nursing is so important to me because it is more than just a job or getting a paycheck,” she said. “It is about that passion to help others. Helping others is the reason nursing came about to begin with.”

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

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor Manuel Ahumada enjoys the field that he dedicates his time to teaching. Most importantly, he enjoys seeing his students succeed throughout the semester with increasing confidence in their skills as they prepare to enter the growing welding field.

 What inspired you to become an instructor?

I have always felt I had a need of helping others, and with my love of the welding field, I combined them. There’s a sense of gratitude involved in knowing I helped a student achieve the goal of being a welder.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

Meeting and helping new, incoming students is something that is very enjoyable. Watching their spirits light up when their hard work results in a good weld is always special.

Do you have a favorite memory at TSTC so far?

The first time I stood on stage at commencement congratulating the first set of students I taught is my favorite memory. It was a very proud moment for me.

What do you enjoy most about welding technology?

Seeing students begin the program knowing nothing about the field and leaving with a great experience and the knowledge of being a good welder is what I enjoy most about the program.

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

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Prospective Texas State Technical College Welding Technology students can have the opportunity to learn about the program firsthand during the program’s open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4.

“Potential students will get a look into our new and updated welding building during their visit to campus,” said assistant enrollment director Ricardo Trevino. “This will be an opportunity to meet with an enrollment coach, submit all documents necessary to enroll, and even be able to register for classes within the same day.”

During the open house, attendees are encouraged to ask any questions they may have about the program or to express concerns. TSTC’s coronavirus protocols will also be strictly enforced.

“We will tour the building as we maintain social distancing,” Trevino said. “The tour will give visitors an interactive look as to what they can expect once they join our welding program.”

Several instructors will be in attendance through the duration of the open house, including lab assistant Juan Avila, who said that visitors will get to see the different aspects of the program.

“I hope prospective students are able to get a preview of what they will be learning here at TSTC,” he said. “They will get a look at the different varieties of welding processes, projects and our automation program.”

Visitors can also learn about financial aid and scholarship opportunities during the open house.

Trevino noted that the Welding Technology program has expanded its capabilities to give students the best education possible to prepare them for the field.

“Our program is growing, and the opportunities for applicants to join a fulfilling career that will lead to a great job have never been better,” he said. “We want to extend this invitation knowing we have one of the best programs in the Rio Grande Valley.”

Those interested in attending the open house may email Ricardo Trevino at ricardo.trevino@tstc.edu.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – First-year seminar instructor Claudia Arnold has taught at Texas State Technical College for 15 years. Recently, her hard work and dedication were recognized when she received a Chancellor’s Excellence Award.

The award is particularly special because recipients not only are recognized for their commitment to TSTC’s core values of excellence, accountability, integrity, and service but also are nominated by their colleagues.

“Knowing that I received this award because I was nominated by my peers is a feeling that I can’t explain,” she said. “My priority is to be a team member and treat my peers and students with respect.”

In an email sent to TSTC staff and faculty, Chancellor Mike Reeser said that one common characteristic that Arnold’s peers noted about her was her dedication.

In that same email, TSTC Provost Cledia Hernandez said that Arnold embodies what it means to go the extra mile.

“Claudia has always demonstrated a passion for making TSTC a great place,” she said. “Her work ethic is admirable and demonstrates that of a true leader, so much so that she was nominated by eight colleagues for this prestigious award.”

Arnold is grateful that she gets to work with people who inspire and appreciate her.

“I want to thank everyone who took the time to nominate me,” she said. “I’m blessed to work with such great people.”

While she enjoys all aspects of her job, one thing she is most fond of is watching her students succeed.

“There is nothing more satisfying than seeing my students understand my lectures,” she said. “I really enjoy using different teaching strategies to get the subject matter across. I always tell all of my students to finish what they start. I explain to them that once they get their degree, nobody can take that away.”

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

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College recently welcomed representatives from the Mercedes Independent School District to tour its Automotive Technology and Precision Machining Technology program facilities.

Several Mercedes Academic Academy students are currently enrolled in TSTC’s Dual Enrollment program, which teaches them the skills needed to excel in their careers after high school.

Mercedes Academic Academy principal Juan Garza and school counselor Jessica Pena were joined by TSTC Provost Cledia Hernandez and several other TSTC staff for the socially-distanced tour.

“I have noticed a spark of interest in my Mercedes Academic Academy students,” Garza said. “Some of these students came to this educational setting because of difficulties they were encountering at the regular high school, and now they are enrolled in a Dual Enrollment program and succeeding.”

Student success goes beyond the educators who dedicate themselves to making sure that all students receive the best education possible.

“Even the parents are elated knowing that their child is receiving a chance that they themselves never got — a chance to make a better life for themselves through the industry-based certifications,” Garza said.

Hernandez added that when one family member obtains an education, an entire family can feel the impact.

“When a student completes their degree at TSTC, we help with job placement,” she said. “We are impacting generations.”

Garza reiterated that an education changes more than just the life of the student obtaining their degree.

“We want our high school students to know that their choice to further their education will undoubtedly have a dramatic effect in not only their own future, but for their families as well.”

Dual Enrollment provides high school students the opportunity to take college courses and earn simultaneous college and high school credit in a technical program. College courses are available at some high school campuses through a credentialed instructor, onsite at a TSTC campus, or through a distance learning class taught by a TSTC instructor.

When a student completes their technical pathway while in high school, they can shorten the time it takes to earn a Certificate I, Certificate II or Associate of Applied Science degree at TSTC.

To learn more about Dual Enrollment at TSTC, visit https://www.tstc.edu/admissions/dualenrollment.