With a couple of job offers in hand, Macay Bahner will walk the commencement stage on August 19 and receive his certificate from Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County.

The Magnolia native studied Diesel Equipment Technology, a field that was new to him when he started at TSTC one year ago.

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after high school,” said Bahner. “All I knew was I needed to work with my hands, a four-year university and learning from books was not for me.”

The 19 year-old said he researched technical colleges in his area after graduating from Magnolia West High School. Bahner added that when he found TSTC and saw the Diesel Equipment Technology program it caught his attention.

“After looking into the program and seeing first-hand what it consisted of, I knew it was the career I should follow,” said Bahner. “I get to learn, see and do something different every day.”

Bahner said he never imagined he would have job offers before graduating from college, especially with countless graduates around the country struggling to find work.

“Many of my classmates and I are either working or deciding which job offer to take,” said Bahner. “Finding a job is not something I had to worry about.”

While Bahner is still deciding where he will work, he also seriously considering going back to TSTC for his associate degree to become more competitive in his field.

“I hope to open a business someday dealing with diesel mechanics,” said Bahner. “TSTC and my instructor Gary Voelkel really prepared me for that.”

The diesel mechanic graduate appreciates the dedication and commitment Voelkel has for his students.

“He was always there to keep us on the straight path,” said Bahner. “He was always there to help us and make sure we understood everything. His goal is to make sure we succeed.”

Overall, Bahner said he enjoyed his college experience and the hands-on training he received at TSTC. So much so, that Bahner has begun recommending the college to high school graduates in his hometown.

“I hope others take advantage of what TSTC in Fort Bend County has to offer,” said Bahner. “This college changes lives, I know it’s changed mine.”

Bahner is one of the 11 graduates receiving certificates or associate degrees during TSTC’s commencement ceremony on August 19 at the Waco Convention Center at 6:30 p.m. They are the last class to graduate from the TSTC location at Wharton County Junior College.

For more information on the Diesel Technology program call 832-595-8734. The new TSTC campus in Fort Bend County will open August 29 in time for the first day of class.