HUTTO — Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus opened for the spring semester Monday, Jan. 8.
“I’m really excited about the semester,” said Hunter Henry, a campus Career Services coordinator. “TSTC is experiencing so much growth in our region and our employer relationships have not been stronger.”
Henry is proud of the 100% job placement rate the Culinary Arts, HVAC Technology and Precision Machining Technology programs had at the Fall 2023 Commencement. The Industrial Systems Technology program’s job placement rate was in the 90% range.
Industrial Systems Technology instructors led second-semester students in performing inventories on mechanical drive systems trainers on Tuesday. Students were also assigned locks for safety lockout and tagouts on equipment.
“The spring semester is always fun,” said Albert Martinez, a program instructor. “The first semester is more introductory and theory. The second semester is hands-on and application.”
Hands-on work is what Isaiah Henderson, of Round Rock, enjoys in his Precision Machining Technology classes. He is a secondsemester certificate student scheduled to graduate later this year.
“I am just trying to get a new career,” he said. “I have been working retail for the last 16 years. I always wanted to do something in architecture, drafting and engineering.”
Henderson said he chose to study Precision Machining Technology because of his interest in blueprints and work in high school on AutoCAD software. He feels positive about life after graduation. “There are enough jobs in the area to where I can stay here,” he said.
Christopher Plaza, of Del Valle, is in his second semester in the Culinary Arts program. He said his goal for the new semester is to continue learning from his mistakes. After graduation he wants to work for a fine-dining restaurant and later own his own restaurant.
“I have a passion for cooking,” Plaza said. “It is satisfying and fun.”
For more information about TSTC, go to www.tstc.edu.
