Category Archives: All TSTC

TSTC in Marshall Hosts Industry Job Fair

(MARSHALL) – More than 170 students from Texas State Technical College attended Thursday’s Industry Job Fair and talked to employers about a variety of career fields.

The campus had its largest job fair yet for students, with 39 companies from Louisiana and Texas in attendance. Most of the companies specialize in engineering and manufacturing.

“The companies right now are needing people in those fields,” said Hannah Luce, a TSTC Career Services coordinator.

Luce said several students had job interviews at the event, with one student receiving a job offer.

“Unemployment is down, so all these companies are needing employees,” Luce said. “They realize the product we offer.”

J.P. Arrington, a human resources manager at Norris Cylinder in Longview, said the company was looking for lathe operators, electricians, mechanics, materials handlers and other positions. He said it was the first time the company, which makes high-pressure acetylene and steel cylinders, attended a TSTC Industry Job Fair.

And, he was happy with the results.

“I found some really good prospects there,” Arrington said. “I have been really impressed with your college. I have hired three of your students in the last three months. They have been fantastic.”

Crown Equipment Corp. of Arlington was also represented at the job event. The Ohio-based company specializing in forklift parts and production offers tuition reimbursement to TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology certificate and associate degree graduates from the Marshall campus who are hired as technicians.

“The caliber of students is just like any at TSTC – great,” said Joe Razza, a Crown regional recruiter. “They were prepared, asked good questions and were vested in what it was that we had to say.”

The next Industry Job Fair for students at TSTC in Marshall will be on Thursday, March 28.

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

TSTC in Marshall Hosts Industry Job Fair

TSTC Hosts National Challenger Center Director

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College’s Challenger Learning Center is ready to send students off on new adventures.

Lance Bush, president and chief executive officer of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education in Washington, D.C., visited the campus Wednesday to talk to administrators and give a presentation on the center’s future worldwide plans.

Bush said when he visits centers and sees students performing experiments or working in Mission Control, he senses the excitement they have for space science.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators,” Bush said.

Bush said new programs the national office is rolling out will inspire students in new ways.

The Aquatic Investigations program for third- to fifth-grade students and the Earth to Mars program for ninth- and tenth- grade students can be taught by teachers in classrooms using Challenger Center materials. These will be offered starting in the 2020-21 school year.

“Teachers are looking for content,” Bush said. “These are hands-on activities.”

The Challenger Center’s 43 locations in Canada, Great Britain, South Korea and the United States continue to offer a selection of eight on-site missions focusing on comets, Earth, Mars, satellites and other topics for elementary and middle school students.

“We have new missions at the center, including Mission to Mars starting in spring 2019, and are revamping and updating missions annually to keep up with the scientific and technological advances,” said Jeremy Hagman, a center coordinator. “Lance’s vision about helping support younger students through the Classroom Adventures project reinforces that we are indeed blessed to have him looking out for the organization.”

All of the lessons the Challenger Center offers to students are based on science data and align to current national education standards, Bush said.

Bush said students start deciding their career paths by fourth grade, but about half of them give up their interest by the time they enter eighth grade.

“Too many lose interest in STEM,” Bush said. “This limits opportunities in life and competitiveness abroad.”

Hagman sees potential opportunities for the local center catering to older children and adults.

“I see a place where companies can have retreats and learn trust, teamwork and communication just like the younger students,” he said. “I see a place where Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops can come and earn merit badges and work on projects. I see a place where home-schoolers can come on certain days and do missions.”

The center honors the astronauts who died Jan. 28, 1986, when a booster engine failed on the space shuttle Challenger space shuttle launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The initiative was founded later that year by the families of the seven astronauts tragically killed.

TSTC’s Challenger Learning Center held a public grand opening in September 2016 and hosted its first school groups in early 2017. The center is the third in Texas, joining locations at TSTC in Harlingen and in San Antonio.

“The Challenger Learning Center at TSTC in Waco is a tremendous resource for STEM education for our local school districts,” TSTC Provost Adam Hutchison said.

For more information on TSTC’s Challenger Learning Center, go to www.tstc.edu/challenger.

TSTC Hosts National Challenger Center Director

TSTC to Compete in NIFA Regional Competition

(WACO) –  Fabian Kiedels and Ethan Wood are ready to help fly Texas State Technical College to victory.

TSTC will compete against Central Texas College, Hinds Community College, LeTourneau University and Louisiana Tech University in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association Region 4 Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 at Skylark Field Airport in Killeen.

Events include computer accuracy, landings, general safety, aviation knowledge, aircraft identification and navigation. All outdoor events and schedule changes are contingent on the weather.

Kiedels and Wood are returning competitors.

“It was overwhelming because it was new but exciting,” said Kiedels, 22, of The Woodlands.

Kiedels will compete in the power-off and power-on landing contest. He said being part of SAFECON enables him to learn and practice beyond the classroom, particularly on landings.

Wood, 20, of Dalhart will represent TSTC in the navigation event. Wood said taking part in the contest last year showed him what he needed to dedicate himself to in studying aviation. He said newer students have asked him lots of questions about what to expect from the intense competition.

The team has prepared in the classroom and in private ground school, with some practice days lasting until sunset.

Jessica Ogden, a TSTC flight instructor, was on last year’s SAFECON team as a student and is an adviser for this year’s group.

“I hope all the students are able to learn something new from their time spent in Killeen,” she said. “I hope they meet new people in aviation and make friendships that last a lifetime through this event. Even though it’s a competition, it never fails to be fun. I hope this team learns to enjoy their time as a student in aviation.”

Other TSTC students taking part include Grant Gonzales, Ken Hannes, Bebo Hudson, Michael Lairsen and Lauren Yates. Also advising the team is Shelby-Lynn Hubbard, a TSTC flight instructor.

The top three teams will be invited to compete at the 2019 national SAFECON.

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

TSTC to Compete in NIFA Regional Competition

TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology Program Helps Meet Growing Demand

(SWEETWATER) – Jackson Gardner, 19, of Abilene sees a big future in his career plans as he works toward a certificate in the Diesel Equipment Technology program at Texas State Technical College.

“The demand for diesel mechanics in big companies sparked my interest,” he said.

Gardner will not be finished after he graduates in 2019 because he wants to pursue certificates in Automotive Technology and Welding Technology.

“I believe it will lead to many more job opportunities since I will be a well-rounded employee,” Gardner said.

Diesel service technician jobs are expected to grow to more than 304,000 by 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Employees are looking for students that have basic technical skills and are eager to learn,” said Mark Koslan, a TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology instructor. “As with most businesses, they want employees that are hardworking and dependable with good communication skills.”

Koslan said some of the area options for graduates include truck and equipment dealerships, independent repair facilities, fleet truck companies, and the oil and gas industry.

Ryan Herrera, operations manager for the Concho Valley Rural Transit District in San Angelo, has seen the impact the oil and gas industry has on getting maintenance done on his fleet of 62 vehicles, including five diesel-engine buses.

The transit district does not have its own maintenance facility, so work has to be locally contracted out. Herrera said as the oil and gas industry booms, there are less workers available to do preventive maintenance. As the oil and gas industry’s impact decreases, there are more workers, and demand for repair work is high.

Herrera said the transit district has also seen the impact on its drivers.

“We have a good benefits package here,” he said. “When the boom started back up about a year and a half ago, we lost a lot of drivers. At the end of the day, they realize they had it made here. We are always looking for drivers.”

Herrera said there are plans for the transit district, which serves 12 Concho Valley counties, to build an on-site maintenance facility. This means the transit district will have a need in the future for diesel mechanics and other workers.

“We are doing the planning right now,” Herrera said. “We will go to the state to ask for money to help build the facility.”

Oklahoma City-based Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores Inc., which has a location on Interstate 20 in Sweetwater, uses online job boards, recruiters, and partnerships with technical colleges and universities to find qualified diesel mechanics. Some of the qualities the company seeks in job candidates include up to two years of experience working with Class 7 and 8 trucks, knowledge of basic electrical theory and troubleshooting, and the willingness to mentor diesel mechanic apprentices.

“It’s very difficult to find candidates to fill diesel mechanic positions,” said Tara Carr, a media relations supervisor for Love’s. “This is not Love’s-specific, (but) the entire travel/transportation industry is feeling the effects of a lack of skilled tradesmen. Mechanics have options; getting them through our doors is only half the battle.”

Roy Banda, 32, of Comanche is studying for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology. Banda, a 2004 Comanche High School graduate, chose to pursue the field because of its specializations.

“I feel great about my job plans and outcomes, and I am willing to relocate for employment opportunities,” said Banda, a former U.S. Marine. “I already have companies interested in me, and I am looking for great benefits for my family.”

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

TSTC Industry Job Fair helps fill state workforce shortage

(HARLINGEN) – More than 50 employers from across the state gathered at Texas State Technical College’s Cultural Arts Center for the Fall 2018 Industry Job Fair, ready to hire TSTC students and graduates for good-paying, in-demand positions.

“This has been one of our most-attended job fairs yet,” said Viviana Espinosa, TSTC director of Talent Management and Career Services. “Employers said they are excited to have been able to reach so many students to help fill the gaps in their workforce.”

More than 500 TSTC students and alumni were dressed to impress at the fair, many with resumes in hand, applying for positions and completing on-site interviews.

Espinosa said the main objective during Industry Job Fair is to connect students and employers.

“Industry representatives are looking to fill positions with skilled employees, and many look at our students first because of the training they receive in the classroom. They’re ready to work,” said Espinosa. “And for our students, it’s about graduating with that dream job in hand. And at Industry Job Fair, we’re able to meet both student and industry needs.”TSTC Industry Job Fair

Carlos Gomez, a regional human resources manager with Martin Sprocket & Gear, said they have seen a lot of success from hiring graduates of TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program.

“The machinists and machine programmers we’re able to hire from TSTC help us meet the needs of our customers,” said Gomez. “Every TSTC student we have hired is now filling key roles within our company. We have even created new positions for TSTC graduates because of the impressive skill sets they have acquired through TSTC.”

Gomez also said partnering with technical colleges like TSTC helps them fill a shortage in their workforce, especially with an increased number of similar companies opening and competing for skilled workers.

“Utilizing technical schools like TSTC has been a major factor in being able to hire more skilled employees. Everything is tied back to the bottom line, and being able to keep our machine shops filled helps us meet our customers’ demands,” said Gomez. “TSTC, to me, is the most valuable technical school in the state, and that opinion is shared by many on our executive management team at Martin Sprocket & Gear.”

Many of the other prospective employers at the event shared the same sentiment.

Samuel Saldana, building services manager for SpawGlass Contractors, said many of the TSTC graduates they have hired have performed above expectations.

“The individuals we hire from TSTC are well-rounded and are trained in more than one area and know several trades within the construction industry,” said Saldana. “Hiring skilled workers from TSTC brings our company value.”

Saldana added that the longtime partnership between SpawGlass and TSTC has been very successful and helpful.

“There is a shortage of professionals in our industry, and the support that TSTC gives us is invaluable,” said Saldana. “We’re looking for individuals who have a basic understanding of our industry, who have been trained in various aspects of our field and display professionalism, and the graduates from TSTC’s Building Construction program are the perfect fit.”

TSTC’s Talent Management and Career Services office connects students and employers statewide by hosting employee spotlights, interview practicums and industry job fairs.

It also assists TSTC students and alumni with resume writing, interview preparation, career research, job searches and networking.

For more information about TSTC’s Talent Management and Career Services office, visit tstc.edu/student_life/careerservices or call 956-364-4940.

TSTC alum living the American Dream

(HARLINGEN) – Arturo Veloz came to the United States when he was 7-years-old, with only hopes and dreams, but thanks to Texas State Technical College, he is now celebrating his recent citizenship to the country he loves so much and living the American Dream.

Born in Rio Bravo, Mexico, the 26-year-old started second grade in Weslaco and lived with his uncle. His parents and two younger sisters stayed behind in Mexico.

“The first thing I remember seeing when I came to the United States was Texas Street in Weslaco. I was amazed. To me, I was in the big city,” said Veloz.  “My parents always told me about the types of opportunity I would find here and that day, although scared, I was inspired. But what sold me on staying was Whataburger, it was my first time eating one and wow,” he added with a laugh.Aruturo Veloz

Veloz learned English within the first year of arriving in the U.S., after a language barrier incident made him the center of ridicule in his class.

“I was bullied often. It really messed with my confidence,” he said. “I always felt like because I was from Mexico I didn’t deserve to have the same opportunities as the other students. I held myself back a lot.”

For Veloz, college seemed a far-fetched idea. He expected to return to Mexico after high school to follow his father’s footsteps in healthcare, but when his father suddenly passed, plans changed for Veloz.

“I was able to get a VISA to study and to work, and my mother, who joined me with my sisters, helped me start the college process,” he said.

Veloz started his college career at a local community college pursuing healthcare. He eventually graduated as a certified nursing assistant and worked for a short time at a nursing home.

He wanted to honor his father, who was a forensic and criminology doctor in Mexico, but said he knew deep down the medical field was not for him.

“I was not into science or medicine, I wasn’t happy,” he said. “I wanted to repair things and work with electricity. I just didn’t know what path to follow.”

It was a visit to an instructor from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley that shaped his future.

“He told me all about TSTC and the programs it offers and how he believed it was a right fit for me, and he was right,” said Veloz.

It was Summer 2013 when Veloz earned his associate degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology from TSTC and immediately gained employment with General Electric in Houston as a biomedical technician.

“I know it’s cliché, but TSTC changed my life. My instructors and classmates immediately became my second family. And the best part was the hands-on training,” said Veloz. “I was ready to hit the ground running when I graduated. We practiced our skills so much in class that I was fully confident in myself and what I had to offer a company.”

After spending one year at General Electric, Veloz moved back to the RGV to witness the birth of his daughter, marry his long-time girlfriend and work as a biomedical technician, this time for Doctors Hospital at Renaissance for another three years.

Arturo Veloz

Veloz is a Meter Electrician with American Electric Power and he said it was the best move he could have made.

“I love AEP. It’s a great place to work, I have great pay and benefits and they’re very family- oriented,” he said. “I hope to continue to grow with them.”

Genaro Marquez, AEP meter electrician supervisor and TSTC alumnus, had nothing but positive praise for Veloz.

“Arturo’s set of skills were impressive and having hired other TSTC graduates before and being one myself, I knew the kind of training he had and how prepared he was for this job,” said Marquez. “Plus, he’s outgoing, never afraid of a challenge or learning new things and works great with others. He’s a great asset to our team and I see him going far.”

And what makes Veloz’s success even sweeter, is that his 10-year path to citizenship finally paid off. He officially became a U.S. citizen last month.

“It’s been quite a journey, but it’s not over yet,” he said. “I hope to someday get a bachelor’s degree and become an electrical engineer.”

Biomedical Equipment Technology is offered at TSTC’s Harlingen and Waco campuses.

For more information on Biomedical Equipment Technology, visit tstc.edu/programs/BiomedicalEquipmetTechnology.

 

Student Success Profile – Monica C. Garcia

(HARLINGEN) – Monica Corina Garcia is a student in the Dental Hygiene program at Texas State Technical College. The 23-year-old boasts a 3.8 grade-point average and expects to graduate Spring 2019 with an associate degree.Monica Corina Garcia

When the Indiana native, who moved to Rio Grande City after high school, and mother to a 3-year-old son isn’t busy commuting and studying she is working as a part-time provider on the weekends and serving as vice president of the TSTC Student Chapter of the American Dental Hygiene Association.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I plan on working as a hygienist; hopefully in Rio Grande City, but I’m open to anything. A smile is the first thing someone sees, so I want to help people love their smiles.

What’s your dream job?

Being a hygienist is my dream, which came from my fear of going to the dentist as a child. Learning about it made it easier for me. My original dream was to become a dentist, but life happens so we’ll see where I end up.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

I’m already a dental assistant and worked three years in the field, but coming to TSTC has helped me grow in confidence when speaking to patients. For me, that’s a huge accomplishment.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that anything is possible. I doubted myself a lot in the past. I didn’t even believe that I could get into the dental hygiene program, but here I am. With hard work and perseverance here I am.

Who at TSTC has had the greatest influence on your success?

All of my dental hygiene instructors have had a huge influence on my success. They are our confidants and friends. They’re always there to encourage us and push us when the going gets tough. Because of them, I’m making it through the program.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to manage your time wisely, don’t be afraid to ask questions and enjoy your college experience.

TSTC in Waco Hosts Women in Technology Day

(WACO) – Taylor Allen could not wait to meet as many as possible of the more than 250 high school students attending Thursday’s Women in Technology Day at Texas State Technical College.

Allen, 19, a TSTC Building Construction Technology major from Woodway, had a lot to tell and show.

“It meant being able to empower the high school students,” she said. “I want them to understand that hands-on work is 100 percent better than the book. Women are getting the jobs. Some of us are here to be No. 1.”

Students and faculty in Cloud and Data Center Management, Electrical Power and Controls, Laser Electro Optics, Visual Communication Technology and other TSTC programs showed off their skills and answered questions for the high school students. Students from the Connally, Itasca, La Vega and Waco school districts attended the event.

Tara Mulcahy, a health science technology teacher at Waco High School, wanted students to be exposed to different technical fields that female students are now pursuing at TSTC. She wanted to use the visit to boost the number of students participating in SkillsUSA and take that interest to the college level.

“It is extremely important to know they can do it and the opportunities are out there,” Mulcahy said.

Jessica Farmer, 18, a senior at Waco High School, enjoyed learning about electronics and digital forensics. Her career goal is to pursue film production.

One of the favorite parts of Farmer’s day was listening to a professional panel of employees from Tulsa-based natural gas and natural gas liquids company ONEOK.

“It really made me want to do technology in the future,” Farmer said.

Kaylee Payne, 16, a sophomore at Itasca High School, has an interest in space science and the medical field.

Payne and other students worked on picture frames while learning about the Building Construction Technology program. The students also learned about equipment safety.

“I liked the girls that were in there,” Payne said. “They were really nice, and it was cool seeing them doing everything.”

Payne also enjoyed touring the Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center, home to all of TSTC’s aviation programs, and seeing the airplanes and helicopters. She also got to experience a flight simulator.

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

 

Longview Company Donates Equipment to TSTC

(MARSHALL) – A Longview company recently made a sizeable equipment donation to Texas State Technical College in Marshall.

J-W Power Co. gave the college items valued at more than $41,200, including drums of hydraulic oil, rectangular tubing, ball valves and structural steel.

“We are glad we can donate some parts and raw goods to TSTC,” said David Ramaly, the company’s plant manager. “The parts that are being donated are components that are used in packaging gas compressors and will be able to be used by the students to learn about different aspects of compressor packages.”

The items will be divided among TSTC’s Industrial Controls Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology programs. The equipment will be used by students in course labs.

“These components will help to broaden students’ exposure and increase accessibility to items not currently available to them,” said Nathan Cleveland, TSTC’s associate provost of instruction.

J-W Power Co. sells, leases and services standard and custom natural gas compression equipment and has the largest privately owned compression fleet in the United States.

For more information on how to make a cash or equipment donation to TSTC, contact The TSTC Foundation at 254-867-3900.

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

Student Success Profile – Andrew Storer

(HARLINGEN) – Andrew StorerAndrew Storer is a Biomedical Equipment Technology student at Texas State Technical College. The Harlingen native holds an impressive 3.9 grade-point average and expects to earn his associate degree in Summer 2019.

The 29-year-old is a former emergency medical technician intermediate. He said the medical field and engineering have always been a passion for him, so he feels that his career change to Biomedical Equipment Technology gives him the best of both worlds.

When the father of two is not studying to maintain his high GPA, he can be found working to rebuild the Biomedical Club where he is currently serving as treasurer.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I plan on finding a job in my field and begin using my skills. Preferably, I hope I find a position in the Rio Grande Valley, but I’m open-minded and ready to move my family if I have to. I eventually hope to continue my education and pursue a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to someday own an assisted living center for dementia, Alzheimer and hospice patients. With a business like this medical equipment is necessary, so I’ll be able to maintain and repair my own equipment while caring for those who need the most help.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment has been returning to school full-time as a husband and father. It’s sometimes a challenge, but I’m proud that I’ve been able to maintain high grades. Soon though, my greatest accomplishment will be graduating with my associate degree.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

Being a student has shown me that as long as I stay focused and do the best I can, I am able to achieve anything and reach my goals.

Who at TSTC has had the greatest influence on your success?

My Biomedical Equipment Technology Instructor Ray Longoria has had the greatest influence on my success. He’s very experienced and knowledgeable in the field. He expects a lot from his students which in turn motivates us to make him proud and do well. He encourages us to be independent thinkers, troubleshooters and problem solvers.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice is study, study and study some more. I read everything that is given to us by our instructors. This, and finishing projects in class, is what’s going to get us far. So always take the time to understand what you’re studying and aim to excel.