(FORT BEND) – Megan Morgan did not always believe that college was in her future, at least not in a field that she found interesting. It was not until she enrolled at Texas State Technical College in 2014, that she could imagine graduating into a career she loved.

The Katy native, currently enrolled at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus, is the only woman in the program and is expected to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Precision Machining Technology in December 2016.

Morgan grew up around a male-dominated field. Numerous members of her family, including her sister are truck drivers. Her family even owns a wrecker service company in Wharton.

“I’ve always worked in the family business doing clerical and receptionist work,” said Morgan.
“But I knew I didn’t want a desk job as a career. I love working with my hands. Since I was little my dad would let me help him repair the trucks.”

After graduating from Morton Ranch High School in Katy, Morgan said she had no interest in college. She wanted to work and make money, but soon realized that without a college education her prospects were slim.

Her long-time boyfriend suggested they relocate to Austin where he wanted to pursue a degree in welding. With support from her family, Morgan made the move.

“We were originally going to enroll at a community college in Austin, but everyone kept giving us the run around with paper work,” said Morgan. “We were making no progress, until we were introduced to TSTC.”

Coming from a large, tight-knit family, Morgan began to get homesick only after a year in Austin. She and her boyfriend made the mutual agreement of moving closer to their families.

Fortunately, for Morgan, TSTC’s Fort Bend campus had just the program she was looking for: Precision Machining Technology.

“I spoke with the program’s instructor Michael Barnes and he helped me get everything set up,” said Morgan. “And of course our office manager Judy Cox was my lifeline. She helped me with the transition from one campus to another. It immediately felt like I was going to school with my family.”

Morgan now has only three semesters left before becoming a college graduate and being in the first class to graduate from the new campus in Fort Bend County opening in August 2016.

“I’m so excited. The new campus is going to be bigger and I’m glad I get to be part of the process of moving,” said Morgan. “I pass by the new building every day and if I’m with someone I have to be sure to show them my new school. By being the first class there, we’ll get to put our stamp on things.”

After graduating, Morgan says she will take a break from school to allow her boyfriend to enroll at TSTC while she takes over working full-time. TSTC will open a welding program at the new Fort Bend location in August and he is excited to attend.

“My family has always pushed me to do more with my life and I can’t wait to see where things will go after I graduate,” said Morgan. “Had I not found this program, I wouldn’t be as excited about my future. I have gained so much experience here at TSTC, I couldn’t have found that anywhere else.”

Precision Machining Technology is also offered at the North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses.

Welding Technology will be offered at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus starting August 2016, and is currently offered at most of the other nine campuses throughout Texas.

TSTC in Fort Bend County currently offers HVAC Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology and Precision Machining Technology. The new campus will also offer Industrial Maintenance Technology, Cyber Security, Telecommunications Convergence Technology and Welding Technology. Apply anytime at tstc.edu, registration for summer and fall semesters begins April 4.

For more information on these courses at Fort Bend County call 281-239-1548.