(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The desire to help others can be a powerful motivation when pursuing a career. That can apply to a range of jobs, including nursing, teaching and therapy. But that also applies to being an electrical lineworker.
Thomas Gully and Mike Gonzales, two students in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker and Management program at the Fort Bend County campus, are in it for the love of people.
“Linework is another kind of first responder to me,” Gully said. “It’s always nice being able to help your community.”
When a big storm rolls in, it can knock out power for large parts of a community. Whether during the heat of summer or the freeze of winter, no power can mean life or death for many. It is the lineworkers who then step in to get things running again.
Gonzales found the lineworker program through a friend who recommended TSTC to him. Since joining, Gonzales has made friends along the way who have kept him motivated to do his best.
“One of the best aspects of the program is the camaraderie we have as a class,” he said. “ I’ve met some of the best people here in this program.”
Of course, people are not the only reason why Gully and Gonzales enjoy the program and career field.
“I love heights,” Gully said. “Once you overcome your fear of climbing the pole, there’s nothing quite like it.”
Both students are on track to graduate this August. Gully hopes eventually to be able to take his work back to small towns and those in need, while Gonzales wants to move toward aerial linework.
For those who are planning to follow in their footsteps, Gonzales hopes they do not waste time but learn all they can.
“Always put your best foot forward,” he said. “Never settle for anything less than you think you can accomplish.”
TSTC offers Electrical Lineworker and Management at its Abilene, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall and Waco campuses. An Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion are available.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is open. For more information, go to tstc.edu.