(MARSHALL, Texas) – After discovering her original career path could be unpredictable, Ariana Abelardo traded sports medicine for the Welding program at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus.
“It’s just something that I decided to do, and I saw that TSTC had it,” Abelardo said. “I decided to stick with it, and I don’t regret it at all.”
The Marshall native was already familiar with TSTC, having completed dual credit classes during high school, and several of her cousins had attended before her. Though her family questioned whether she could make it as a female welder, she quickly proved herself worthy of the field.
“I don’t believe in, ‘It’s just a man’s job.’ We have the same opportunities,” Abelardo said. “If you really want to do something, you can do it if you set your mind to it. Nothing is impossible.”
Abelardo said she has enjoyed getting to know her fellow students and has discovered that several have a background in welding, be it with their families or high schools. Since she does not have that advantage, she makes sure to ask her instructors about anything and everything.
“It’s thanks to them that I advanced this far, so I’m forever grateful for them and will be forever grateful for them,” Abelardo said about her instructors.
Asa Goolsbee, a Welding instructor at TSTC’s Marshall campus, thinks highly of Abelardo, too.
“Ari is an outstanding student and a great person,” he said. “I believe she will have a very good future ahead of herself.”
Abelardo expects to earn her certificate of completion in December and plans to transfer to TSTC’s Waco campus to pursue her Associate of Applied Science degree. She is considering pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a career as a travel welder.
“I don’t want to just be stuck in one spot. I want to be able to see the world and see if there’s more opportunities out there for me,” Abelardo said.
According to onetonline.org, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn a median salary of $49,830 in Texas, with 5,640 annual job openings projected in the state between 2022 and 2032.
For more information, go to tstc.edu.