(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Following a five and a half-year tenure as an educator and department lead, Brookshire native Melody Jenkins realized that the leadership skills she honed are just as valuable in her new career direction.
Jenkins, a student at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus, is working towards an Associate of Applied Science degree with a specialization in Industrial Maintenance Having recently completed her second semester, she is gaining the technical skills that will help fill a demand in the regional workforce.
“I am glad I enrolled, but I was hesitant because it was unfamiliar territory,” she said. “My faith is important, and I felt the college opened a door for me.”
The career shift was a suggestion by her father, Larry Jenkins, a TSTC instructor. He recognized the potential his daughter showed for technical tasks growing up and it translated directly to the program’s curriculum.
“My dad told me the skills I learned from him growing up are the same ones he teaches to his students,” she said. “His encouragement definitely changed my perspective on what I am capable of.”
Jenkins said the program’s emphasis on hands-on training has strengthened her confidence. A turning point happened when she took the alternating current and direct current circuits courses.
“When I did the calculations and saw the number I was looking for, I was happy that I did it correctly,” she said.
Oscar Sanford, a TSTC instructor in the advanced manufacturing program, said Jenkins’ background in education has given her an advantage in the lab.
“Melody takes the time to understand not just what to do, but why it works,” Sanford said. “That mindset has helped her grow in our lab. (She) is intentional in how she approaches learning.”
As manufacturers seek skilled workers, Jenkins plans to combine her new technical knowledge with her educational leadership background to pursue a future management role — the type of talent employers look for in TSTC graduates.
“My goal is to become a maintenance manager,” she said. “I would like to be a manager who can guide new team members toward success in their careers.”
Registration for the fall semesters is now underway at TSTC. For more information, visit TSTC.edu.