(MARSHALL, Texas) – Terry Matthews, of Waskom, graduated from Texas State Technical College’s Welding program in December.
“I have 13 older siblings and I’m the first one to graduate from college,” he said. “Even my parents have never done it nor my grandparents. I’m the first in three generations.”
Matthews’ welding education began at just nine years old when his grandfather, an experienced welder himself, began teaching him what he knew.
“He did railroad work. At one point he was making the tracks, and at another point, actual cars,” Matthews said. “He taught me the basics and I was able to carry forward.”
Matthews said he faced his fair share of challenges in TSTC’s Welding program, but he refused to give up.
“Terry was a good student,” said Asa Goolsbee, a Welding instructor at TSTC’s Marshall campus. “He took his time to listen to instructions and to make sure he delivered the wanted product.”
Matthews’ determination paid off when he received his certificate of completion in Structural Welding from TSTC.
“(TSTC) was hard work and a stepping stone into my future,” Matthews said.
Just before he graduated from TSTC, Matthews was hired by Sabre Industries, Inc. in Bossier City, Louisiana, a manufacturer of structural solutions serving the telecommunications and utilities industries. His skills got him promoted from Welder D to Welder C in just two months.
“I like it, personally,” Matthews said.
Matthews said he is considering expanding his knowledge to pipeline welding.
“I’m OK with doing the same thing every day — that’s kind of what welding is — and if it pays well and has good hours, I’m all for it,” Matthews said.
According to onetonline.org, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn a median annual salary of $49,830 in Texas, where the number of these jobs was projected to grow 11% between 2022 and 2032.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.