(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For Jordannah Brown, growing up with a sketch pad in hand was only the beginning. Her love for drawing would continue to evolve as a student at Texas State Technical College.
“I started drawing when I was around 11 years old,” Brown said. “I was inspired by my grandmother’s photography and videos. I’d use a pen or a pencil to sketch things such as a butterfly or someone who was graduating. During high school, TSTC recruiters spoke to us to talk about their programs. I looked through a pamphlet they gave us and came across the Drafting and Design program.”
Brown, who is working toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology at TSTC, said the program has been an eye-opening experience.
“The instructors have helped me understand the differences between architecture and engineering, and how the two fields work hand in hand,” she said. “The software program we use lets us virtually go through a home design and view each room as a 3D model.”
The Harlingen native said the program’s instructors have helped her understand how electrical and plumbing factor into the design of a home.
“For example, I’ve learned that placing two bedrooms next to a kitchen isn’t ideal because of the plumbing layout,” Brown said. “I feel much more confident when working on our assignments.”
Samuel Pizano is one of Brown’s instructors at TSTC.
“Jordannah takes pride in her work by effectively communicating before turning in an assignment,” he said. “We emphasize to many of our students, including Jordannah, that what they will experience in our program is similar to what they will see in their future careers.”
Brown said her experience at TSTC has broadened her perspective of what to expect in the workforce.
“I’m grateful for how the program is preparing me for what a real-world career in architecture will look like,” she said.
According to onetonline.org, architectural and civil drafters earn an average salary of $61,530 in Texas, where the number of such jobs was projected to increase 13% between 2022 and 2032.
In Drafting and Design, 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 several certificates of completion.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.