(MARSHALL, Texas) – Cameron Honeycutt grew up assisting his grandfather, a skilled diesel mechanic. Now, he is attending the Diesel Equipment program at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.
“I was just working in the field with my Papa, a tractor and some diesels, and now I’m about to go out into the world and help a company become top tier,” the Pittsburg native said.
During his time at TSTC, Honeycutt began working for EAG Automotives’ Carthage dealership to gain more experience as a technician. He said it has “tremendously” benefitted his education.
“There are multiple parts on a diesel engine that are on an automotive diesel engine, so that really helped me understand how the system actually works,” Honeycutt said. “Instead of just learning in class, I’m actually doing it at work, so I’ll put two and two together and get more of an understanding of it.”
Honeycutt admitted that balancing school and work, along with raising a one-year-old son, has been stressful, but TSTC is a supportive environment and he enjoys the program.
“Everybody’s been helpful and genuine toward each other and all of the teachers have helped me to get to this point,” he said. “The people that I’m here with now, I don’t just consider them my friends; I consider them my family.”
Robert Sutton, a Diesel Equipment instructor at TSTC’s Marshall campus, called Honeycutt an exceptional student who always strives to do his best in his studies.
“He has a very outgoing personality and his positivity is contagious with his classmates,” Sutton said. “I believe that he will be an important asset to any company that secures his employment.”
Honeycutt plans to earn his certificate of completion from TSTC this December. He wanted to encourage new students to stay on top of their work and learn how to adapt to things they have never tried.
“The progression that you’re going to have is going to be outstanding,” Honeycutt said. “There’s always going to be obstacles, but you’re just going to have to go and walk through.”
In addition to Marshall, Diesel Equipment is available at TSTC’s Abilene, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, North Texas, Sweetwater and Waco campuses. The program offers several Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates of completion depending on location.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.