However, COVID-19 has added new hurdles for professionals on both the occupational and the environmental sides of the industry.

“It’s actually pretty chaotic,” said Andrea Skinner-Creeks, a Texas State Technical College Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance instructor.

On the occupational side, workplace regulations are changing.

Skinner-Creeks attended a class last month in Houston that brought together compliance professionals and companies to discuss regulations for COVID in the workplace. An attorney was on hand to answer questions, and frustrations were high on all sides.

“Laws don’t get made overnight,” Skinner-Creeks said. “It takes years. With COVID, we don’t have years. We have to implement stuff.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor has frequently updated its website, osha.gov, to address workplace safety amid the challenges presented by a swiftly changing pandemic.

In the classroom at TSTC, Skinner-Creeks urges her students to be aware of those updates.

“It’s definitely a moving target — everything is fluid,” she said. “I try to get the students to channel their analytical skills. You have to be able to reason your way through things.”

Skinner-Creeks covers everything from instilling a basic understanding of pathogens to the proper disposal of medical waste. She also ensures that her students know how to put on and take off protective gloves — there is a proper method.

On the environmental side of the issue, incinerators are backlogged for disposal of everything from regular manufacturing waste to the increase of medical waste — and personal protective equipment like gloves and masks. The delay has affected logistics on keeping certain items in stock due to storage limitations.

“All that ties into an environmental health and safety specialist,” Skinner-Creeks said. “Their job is really challenging right now.”

There are silver linings, though, she adds. Safety laws that were written and implemented vaguely — and that often require letters of interpretation — are being addressed more specifically. And an increased emphasis on workplace safety and compliance means additional opportunities for careers in the industry.

In Texas, occupational health and safety technicians can earn an average annual salary of $46,840, according to onetonline.org, which projects that the number of technicians in Texas will grow by 16% through 2028. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that Texas employs the most occupational health and safety technicians, with the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area first among other metropolitan areas for the highest employment level of these positions.

The demand for qualified professionals will continue to expand, Skinner-Creeks said, explaining that she can foresee companies hiring multiple technicians to address all facets of occupational and environmental safety.

“I see a lot more positions out there,” she said. “Companies are really gearing up (to hire health and safety professionals) because they want to remain functional. There’s going to be a lot of room for opportunity and growth.”

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance at its Breckenridge, Fort Bend County and Waco campuses.

To learn more, visit tstc.edu.

It was El Campo resident Joshua Laslie’s first semester at TSTC, though he intends to finish his bachelor’s degree in emergency management from Louisiana State University this semester as well.

He hopes to expand his experience in TSTC’s Welding Technology program with a focus in Structural Welding.

“Honestly, I just want to learn a new skill,” he said. “I grew up farming, so I want to learn ag welding.”

Monday marked the start of TSTC welding student Daniel Alvarado’s second semester at TSTC.

“It’s been really fun,” he said. “I kind of sometimes wish I had more time. Toward the end of last semester, I was able to come in on different days, so I appreciated that.”

After he earns his Associate of Applied Science degree, the Sugar Land resident aims to start getting real-world welding experience. His dream job is to be an underwater welder.

Alvarado and Laslie are two of the 467 students registered for the spring semester at TSTC’s campus in Fort Bend County. As of Friday, Jan. 7, TSTC senior enrollment coach Georgeann Calzada counted 66 new students and 401 returning students for this semester.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to normalcy — whatever that looks like for 2022 — and having students on campus and continuing their education,” she said.

Jonathan Bonkoske, lead instructor for TSTC’s Electrical Power and Controls program, also looked forward to welcoming students to classes and labs this semester.

“Having that interaction, being able to see their expressions — see their faces, see the learning going on — and working with them through problems, we’re slowly getting back to somewhat normal here,” he said.

Normalcy includes everything from relevant, hands-on training to the reopening of the campus snack bar, which had been closed due to the pandemic, TSTC Fort Bend County provost Randy Wooten said.

“We’re doing great things — and the same things that have made us successful in the past,” Wooten said, explaining that TSTC remains committed to its mission of placing more Texans in good-paying jobs.

TSTC encourages wearing masks, social distancing and staying home if students, faculty or staff feel ill — protocols that prioritize everyone’s health on campus, he added.

“We’re serious about keeping people safe,” Wooten said.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

“Without manufacturing, nothing gets made,” said Matt Sykora, a representative for Haas Automation.

Such a crucial facet of the economy requires highly trained workers, which Texas State Technical College works to provide with its Precision Machining Technology program.

During the fall 2021 semester, the Gene Haas Foundation gave a total of $80,000 through The TSTC Foundation to support six of TSTC’s campuses across the state. Campuses in East Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall and North Texas each received $12,000. TSTC’s campus in Waco received $20,000.

All six campuses offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology (PMT) and a certificate of completion in Machining. The Fort Bend County, Marshall and Waco campuses also offer an occupational skills award in Basic Machining.

Sykora, a TSTC graduate himself, presented the gift at TSTC’s North Texas campus.

“My degree has afforded me a life that really was beyond what I dreamed of,” he said. “Over the years, Haas has entrusted TSTC with millions of dollars that’s allowed students to be taught on state-of-the-art equipment. It’s actually something I find a lot of joy in doing.”

Rusty Hicks, The TSTC Foundation’s corporate development officer for North Texas, looks forward to the scholarships the gift will create for students on his campus.

“This has a huge impact, as many of these students are still experiencing tough times due to COVID-related issues,” he said. “A special thank-you to the Gene Haas Foundation for truly making a difference with their very kind and generous donation.”

Pete Rowe, The TSTC Foundation’s vice president of External Relations and the field development officer for the Waco campus, celebrated the partnership between the college and the Gene Haas Foundation.

“They provide equipment to train our students on, they provide scholarships, they hire our graduates,” he said. “They’re just very generous to us. It’s just a first-class organization from top to bottom, and TSTC is very fortunate.”

The Fort Bend County campus is TSTC’s newest location in the state, and this gift is the first to the campus from the Gene Haas Foundation.

“We’re very fortunate to have industry partners like this,” said John Kennedy, a senior field development officer with The TSTC Foundation at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus. “Haas is a product that is tried and true in the education we deliver to students, and we look forward to exploring further relationships down the road.”

Dennis Engelbert, a Champions Machine Tool Sales representative who presented the gift in Fort Bend County, has witnessed the potential for success in this field.

“I love visiting customers — these are small, family-owned businesses in many cases,” he said. “These all started in the industry, working in some other shop for a couple years, and then they all go out on their own. It’s really a great path to being a business owner. The machining world is easy to do that in, and they can make a great living doing that. It’s a great transition without going into many years of college.”

Machining technicians are in high demand in East Texas, said Blake Cox, an associate field development officer for The TSTC Foundation at TSTC’s Marshall campus.

“These technicians need top-notch training,” he said. “With that in mind, we’re very honored to have the support of the Gene Haas Foundation. They’ve enhanced our PMT program with equipment donations, and their annual scholarship donation has helped many of our PMT students overcome financial barriers.”

Chris Rooney, a sales manager at Haas Factory Outlet Dallas, recognized the importance of industry support in education — especially when those students are likely to become future manufacturing employees.

“There’s a reason why Haas sells so many machines — because that’s what these young people in the trade field are learning on,” he said. “We make sure they’re able to continue to do these programs because it’s what’s creating the next generation of machinists. It’s very important to us working in that field.”

Often that level of support is integral to students completing their studies at TSTC.

“We deeply appreciate this support from the Gene Haas Foundation,” said Richard Mesquias, senior field development officer for The TSTC Foundation on TSTC’s Harlingen campus. “Donations like these really make a difference and go a long way in helping TSTC students achieve their educational dreams.”

Educational grants like the gift from the Gene Haas Foundation aim to close the skills gap between the growing number of jobs that require skilled technicians and not enough workers to fill them — a mission the college shares.

“Manufacturing is key to our survival as it supports so many industries,” said Aaron Hayes, a representative of Haas Factory Outlet in Buda. “The reason we have always led the nation in innovation is our support of engineering and manufacturing programs with continued education to further this field. We hope that the money will be put to good use for students to advance the machining industry.”

With that level of support and involvement from industry partners, TSTC will continue to fulfill its mission: training Texans for good-paying careers.

“We hear over and over again how impressed our industry partners are with the quality of students that come from our program,” said Michael Smith, The TSTC Foundation’s vice president of development. “We constantly praise Haas because of the equipment we have. We’re able to provide world-class, industry-standard training because of them.”

TSTC recognizes that manufacturing is an essential facet of the economy and is certain that its Precision Machining Technology graduates have a bright career ahead of them. The program is part of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee. If graduates do not get hired in their field within six months of obtaining their degree, TSTC will refund their tuition.

The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999 to support the needs of the local community. Its founder, Gene Haas, is the CEO of Haas Automation Inc., a maker of computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools.

Learn more about TSTC at tstc.edu.

But once she earns her Associate of Applied Science degree in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Power and Controls program, she hopes she can help change that — particularly since the industry resonates with her and comes with an added bonus of job security.

“A lot of things are getting replaced with machinery — especially in automation in factories,” Orr said. “You actually need a person to do all this maintenance. That can’t be done by robots — yet. Hopefully by the time they get a robot to do it, I’m retired.”

Orr, of Katy, has found her niche at TSTC. With hobbies like sewing, crocheting, knitting and participating in her high school’s robotics team, she knew her interests were more hands-on.

Orr’s older brother attended a big university, experiencing large classes packed with students.

“I already knew I wanted to go to a smaller school,” Orr said. “I couldn’t deal with all those people.”

A high school counselor and a couple of campus tours convinced Orr that TSTC was the college for her — especially with her desire to explore training in engineering- and math-based fields.

“It’s been really nice,” Orr said of her TSTC experience. “It’s a lot easier for me to learn hands-on and with a smaller class size. I can actually talk to instructors and get specific help.”

That help can be basic clarification on a current project or a look at the big picture, delving into the curriculum.

“Lani is an amazing soul,” said Jonathan Bonkoske, TSTC’s Electrical Power and Controls lead instructor. “She is really tuned in.”

TSTC instructors’ willingness to devote extra time to ensure that students understand — and the affordable cost compared to other colleges — made TSTC Orr’s best choice, she said.

She sees the Electrical Power and Controls program making a big impact on her future.

“One of the things I like about this degree is I can go for several different jobs using the same degree,” Orr said. “It’s very versatile in what it can be applied to.”

Orr encourages other women to think about their hobbies and look at their options when deciding on the direction for their education and training. If they like hands-on activities like crafts or intricate projects like building computers, then they might find a home at TSTC – just like Orr did.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Power and Controls at four of its campuses, including in Fort Bend County.

In Texas, electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians can earn an average salary of $69,310 per year, according to onetonline.org, which forecasts an 8% growth in positions statewide through 2028.

Texas employs the second-highest number of these technicians in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area hosts the seventh-highest number of them among all other metropolitan areas in the U.S.

TSTC’s Electrical Power and Controls program is part of the college’s Money-Back Guarantee. If a graduate of this program does not get hired within six months of earning their degree, TSTC will refund their tuition.

Enrollment for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

The Sugar Land resident hopes to apply his welding skills at power plants or on pipelines in the future — with travel as a main goal.

But there was a time when Ulin was not as certain about what he should be doing.

He was actually studying psychology at another college when someone at his job mentioned TSTC’s Welding Technology program to him.

“I’d always found it interesting, but I’d never researched it,” Ulin said of welding, adding that he appreciated the art of the craft. “I’ve also always been a hands-on person. I wasn’t sure about the other school because I didn’t like sitting down much.”

The proximity of TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus to his home helped motivate Ulin to apply. Some of his existing credits transferred to TSTC, and he completed his degree ahead of schedule.

His experience has already led him to recommend TSTC to others.

“I say, ‘You should come to this school – it’s close, you’ll have a fun time, it feels like home, you can be yourself, and you’re still learning a lot,’” Ulin said.

He added that TSTC’s instructors go above and beyond in teaching their courses, including teaching students about measuring and fitting pipes.

“I feel very blessed for the instructors I’ve had for the past year,” Ulin said. “I learned not only welding, but specific stuff I can do out in the real world.”

The essential work that welders complete — and the potential for quality pay — also drew Ulin to the industry.

“It will be a stable job, and it will always be in demand,” he said.

In Texas, welders can earn an average annual salary of $45,250, and the number of welding positions in the state is expected to grow by 13% through 2028, according to onetonline.org.

Texas employs the highest number of welders in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Out of all the metropolitan areas in the United States, the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area has the highest number of welders, positioning welding graduates at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus for success.

TSTC’s Welding Technology program is part of the college’s Money-Back Guarantee. If a graduate of this program does not get hired within six months of earning their degree, TSTC will refund their tuition.

If a prospective student might be feeling unsure about the choices they are making for their future, Ulin suggests that they reach out to TSTC.

“TSTC will help you make that decision become clearer,” he said. “I enjoyed my entire time here. It’s a really good experience and an important industry.”

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology, certificates of completion in Structural Welding and Structural and Pipe Welding, and an occupational skills award in Basic Welding – Multiple Processes.

Enrollment for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. Learn more at tstc.edu.

His father has been a lineworker since before Larkins can remember.

“He took me one time when I was young, and I said, ‘Yo, I want to do this’ — and now I’m doing it,” Larkins said. “It’s always been what I wanted to do.”

The Texas State Technical College fall 2021 graduate wrapped up his final semester of training in TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program with a certificate of completion.

He looks forward to getting a job — whether it happens to be at Mesa Line Services, where his father works, or another company where he can apply his skills.

What made you decide to come to TSTC?

I was from Michigan originally. My dad was here, and he saw this opportunity for me that Michigan didn’t have. (He saw TSTC as) a good thing so I’d get knowledge and experience.

How has your experience with the Electrical Lineworker Technology program at TSTC been?

Really good. The past two semesters have been great. It’s definitely hard work, but we’ve been able to manage it. I’m glad I’m here. I love the environment — the teachers really help us. They’re here when we need something.

What has been a favorite memory from your training?

My favorite moment was when I was doing the double crossarms. For me being a short guy, we have to do a lot more work than a taller person. It’s the same job, but it’s more difficult. Doing double crossarms took a minute — that was probably the hardest. I’m glad I overcame it, because now I’m doing it.

What advice do you have for prospective students interested in the Electrical Lineworker program?

It wouldn’t hurt to at least come and try. You may look at it and see somebody on the pole and be like, ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’ But if you don’t try, you don’t know. Once you learn it, you’ll get the understanding of it — and you can do it.

What do you wish everyone knew about being a lineworker?

I’ll tell you right now — the instructors say this, and even people at the job when you get recruited — it’s a brotherhood. We all have respect for each other. We all do the same thing. We all have a good time, we all share laughs, we all share the same work. We put our blood, sweat and tears in this trade. It’s definitely a good trade to get into. I don’t regret doing this. I’d do it five times over.

In addition to the Fort Bend County campus, TSTC’s Harlingen, Marshall and Waco campuses provide lineworker training. TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Lineworker Technology and a certificate of completion in Electrical Lineworker.

In Texas, lineworkers can earn an average annual salary of $55,880, according to onetonline.org, which forecasts lineworker positions in the state to grow by 16% through 2028.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that Texas employs the most lineworkers in the U.S. — and that the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area has the highest employment level of lineworkers.

TSTC is confident that its Electrical Lineworker Technology program graduates will get hired in this in-demand field. That is why the program comes with a Money-Back Guarantee. If lineworker graduates do not get hired in the industry within six months of earning their degree, TSTC will refund their tuition.

Enrollment is underway for the spring semester at TSTC. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Yesenia Aguinaga once knew nothing about commercial driving except that it might be a way to make good money quickly.

In spite of her lack of experience, the Rosenberg resident was able to earn her commercial driver’s license (CDL) earlier this year at Texas State Technical College — the first woman to do so at the Fort Bend County campus.

Part of that can be attributed to Aguinaga’s tenacity and drive.

The other part? TSTC workforce trainer Paul Hildebrandt’s dedication to his students.

“I would tell her, ‘Trust the process’ and ‘Confidence equals success,’” he said. “And I kept telling her, ‘You’ll get it.’ I know that she put a lot of weight on her shoulders.”

Aguinaga recalled feeling stressed out during CDL training.

“I struggled because I wasn’t getting things down quick enough,” she said.

She also remembered her father being nervous for her, worried that the process of getting a CDL had changed since he obtained his. Aguinaga decided not to tell her mother about the training, certain that she would be talked out of doing it.

But with diligent studying and hard work that included adapting and overcoming obstacles like her height, Aguinaga earned her CDL.

She has recommended TSTC’s CDL training to five to 10 people already.

“If I could pass my exam on the first try, not having known a thing about how to maneuver a semi or inspect it, I feel anyone could because that’s how good the program is,” she said. “You are given everything you need to know very thoroughly. I’ve heard many horror stories from others who have not managed to obtain their CDL because they’re just handed the material and not taught properly.”

To say that Hildebrandt was proud of his student would be an understatement.

“You couldn’t get the smile off my face,” he said.

Now Aguinaga has a job at a local company, driving a truck and hauling dirt, sand, rock, asphalt and other materials.

“What I love most about my job is the fact that I’m on my own, I know what I have to do, and I’m only told once what needs to be done — then I’m left alone to do it,” she said. “I love being out on the road and not crammed inside an office or a building.”

Whenever Hildebrandt happens to cross paths with Aguinaga while on the road, it becomes a moment for him to reflect on her journey.

“Seeing her smile, doing good at what she trained to do, that’s real joy for an instructor,” Hildebrandt said.

A woman succeeding in a male-dominated industry like commercial driving is a challenge, but that does not mean a prospective student should not try.

“Take that leap of faith — that’s really what it boils down to,” Hildebrandt said. “Believe in yourself, and you’ll be successful.”

The first day at work when Aguinaga was entrusted with her truck was an emotional one.

“I cried happy tears because of how far I’d come, and the realization of how much I loved what I was doing just hit me,” she said. “I got mad, frustrated, sad and doubtful along the way. But in the end, I felt so much joy in what I’d accomplished. I was very glad I had pursued it instead of letting fear get in the way.”

Behind the wheel, Aguinaga gets her fair share of honks and thumbs-up from fellow commercial drivers.

But the best moments on the road come from a smaller audience.

“My favorite reactions are (from) little kids who wave and smile or point,” she said.

Enrollment for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

M&S Engineering is a Texas-based engineering firm whose scope of services includes electrical engineering; civil engineering; mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP); and survey projects through its sister company, Sherwood Surveying & S.U.E.

Some students and faculty members from TSTC’s Automation and Controls Technology, Drafting and Design, Electrical Lineworker Technology, and Electrical Power and Controls programs attended the event.

It was one of many that TSTC’s Career Services department organizes and hosts — both in person and online — to show TSTC students some career options.

Kendall Simpson, an HR representative for M&S Engineering, and Josh Darden, the distribution manager for the company’s Georgetown and Midland offices, attended the event to describe the company’s mission and goals and answer questions.

Currently, M&S Engineering has about 300 employees. The company’s services extend throughout Texas — with some additional projects and initiatives outside the state.

“We cover almost all of Texas, with about 300 employees and growing,” Darden said.

The company staffs offices in Aledo, Georgetown, Midland, New Braunfels, Spring Branch and The Woodlands, with plans for expansion.

“We’re constantly hiring,” Simpson said. “We are definitely in the growth stage.”

Some of the current open positions include electric design trainees and technicians, electric distribution designers and trainees, and survey crew members.

Nearly all the positions are full time, Simpson said, adding that the company accepted some current students for summer internships.

During the virtual event, students asked questions about where they might relocate to, the types of benefits available to employees, and what kinds of qualifications the firm is looking for in its workers.

Darden said M&S Engineering would consider individuals with associate degrees and certificates of completion.

“Either one works mainly because you’re a good hard worker — and you’re ready to come to work and grow and expand your career path from on-the-job training,” he said.

Simpson looks forward to the opportunity to hire more TSTC graduates in the future.

“We’ll definitely be at the career fair next spring,” she said.

TSTC offers Associate of Applied Science degrees in Automation and Controls Technology and Electrical Power and Controls.

Within its Drafting and Design program, TSTC offers Associate of Applied Science degrees in Architectural/Civil Drafting Technology, Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology, and Engineering Graphics and Design Technology, as well as occupational skills awards in Basic Architectural-Mechanical Drafting and Basic Computer Aided Drafting.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science and a certificate of completion in Electrical Lineworker Technology.

Registration for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. Learn more at tstc.edu.

Chapman Lai, Richie Martinez, Aaron McKenzie, Vincent Packer, Christopher Ramos, Paul Schwab, Dy’Quon Starling and Nathaniel Steinbicker received certificates from Tesla and TSTC.

The Tesla START program gives students the skills necessary to become advanced electric vehicle technicians at Tesla. As a Tesla-paid hourly intern during the program, students develop technical expertise and earn certifications through a blended approach of in-class theory, hands-on labs and self-paced learning.

All students who successfully complete the nationwide program are eligible to work at a Tesla service center in the United States.

Each graduate placed a pin on a map of the United States, representing the location of the service center where they will continue their career with Tesla.

Dylan Lane, a Tesla START instructor, thanked TSTC for its support, nearby Tesla service centers for accepting the cohort and fostering their training, and the graduates’ families, some of whom attended the ceremony.

“You all shared in the sacrifices required to undertake this truly demanding and time-consuming program,” Lane said.

Lane’s advice for the graduates included lending a helping hand to those in need, continuing to seek knowledge, and never being afraid to fail.

“The opportunities available to you are endless,” he said. “Stay driven.”

Other Tesla team members were on hand to celebrate, including Tesla START instructor Tony Marquez, who kicked off the cohort’s first day on campus, Jose Garcia, the Tesla START manager, and Jessica Justiniano, another Tesla START instructor who came out of retirement to help train this cohort.

“I like to talk about how much diversity we have in Tesla in general, and we can see that here,” Justiniano said. “We have people from all over the place. You guys worked so hard. I can’t wait to see what you end up doing in your service centers.”

Adam Barber, TSTC’s executive director of Workforce Training, congratulated the graduates on their hard work — and the mark they made as the initial Tesla START cohort on campus.

“First class, you set the bar high,” he said. “Although you’re leaving TSTC, you’ll always have us as a family, partner and resource. We’re here for you.”

Martinez was excited to complete the program and move to Colorado for his new job. His sister lives there.

Still, it will be an adjustment to say goodbye to the rigorous Tesla START program.

“It’s weird for me because we made it routine every week: waking up at 5 a.m. and getting off of work and studying all night,” he said.

For McKenzie, who will be moving to Connecticut, the end of the program was also bittersweet.

“I’d still be excited if we had another week to see what is coming, but it’s exciting to move on and actually get started working,” he said.

Originally from Connecticut, McKenzie loved his experience in the program — especially with the other members of his cohort and the Tesla START instructors.

“You come in not knowing much,” he said. “Once you get through the class and you get to actually be involved and see the community and culture — not to mention all the technology they have — it’s amazing.”

There are currently Tesla START partnerships with colleges in California, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington — and at TSTC’s campus in Waco.

The Tesla START program was launched in 2019 and has had more than 300 graduates to date. 

The estimated cost of the program is $2,700. Students are paid $15 an hour and receive full health benefits while in the program. Prospective students can find admission requirements and more information at tstc.edu/workforce/tesla-start.

For additional information on Tesla START, go to tesla.com/careers/tesla-start. 

Learn more about TSTC at tstc.edu.

In the crowd, families cheered on their graduates, shouting out encouragement and terms of endearment — and even waving oversized cutouts of faces.

Laughter filled the auditorium as one graduate pirouetted her way onto the stage.

It was the first in-person commencement for TSTC since the onset of COVID-19.

“We’re glad to be able to reopen,” said Randy Wooten, provost of TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus. “This is a first big step, and we’re doing it safely — just like the rest of Texas.”

Wooten looked forward to the sense of achievement that TSTC’s newest graduates would have as their families watched them walk and accept their Associate of Applied Science degrees, certificates of completion and occupational skills awards.

“It’s a celebration,” he said.

TSTC associate provost Bryan Bowling encouraged this semester’s graduates to find their silver lining — like so many companies and other individuals did during the pandemic.

“Even though things have changed, there are plenty of opportunities,” he said. “Even some new ones.”

TSTC graduate Colman Von Krippner, of Katy, was excited about the experience of celebrating his accomplishments in TSTC’s Industrial Systems program.

“It’s the conclusion of everything I’ve been working toward,” he said, adding that he hopes to get a job as a maintenance technician that allows him room to grow professionally.

Jose Perez Jr., a Welding Technology graduate, looked forward to the opportunity to walk across the stage.

And as for how he planned on celebrating?

“Driving two hours home,” the Bloomington resident said with a laugh. With that trek completed, he would likely do something with his family.

Adrian Paniagua, an Electrical Lineworker Technology honors graduate from El Campo, earned a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average along with his certificate of completion.

“It was smooth,” he said of his experience with the program. “It really worked out for me. I would definitely recommend it to others.”

Meredith Watassek, the CTE director of Fort Bend ISD and the commencement speaker, lauded the graduates for their hard work. In her speech, she urged them to show others the value of their technical training and career paths.

“You have a responsibility to train up those around you,” Watassek said. “You have a responsibility to do your very best and, most importantly, a responsibility to make yourself proud. Congratulations on your enormous accomplishments. We all look forward to watching you succeed and following in your footsteps.”

Enrollment for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. Learn more at tstc.edu.