(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Giovanni Guerra, a recent Welding Technology graduate and a current Precision Machining Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, turned his challenge with dyslexia into motivation to prepare for a future job in the workforce.
Guerra, a Mission native, made full use of the college’s academic resources during his time in the Welding Technology program, in which he earned all three of its certificates of completion.
“I spoke with (TSTC’s) Access and Learning Accommodations office to ask how they could help me with my learning obstacle,” Guerra said. “The college provides resources through our Canvas online coursework system that can read the assignments aloud.”
Guerra said he chose a manufacturing course of study at TSTC because he enjoys the hands-on training.
“When I was in high school, I saw welding students working on projects in the shop,” he said. “That sparked my interest in the field. Since I struggle with dyslexia, I knew that a career in a manufacturing shop would be best. After I graduated from the Welding Technology program, I became interested in the Precision Machining Technology program because of the precise measurements that are required to create parts.”
Guerra is pursuing a certificate of completion in the program.
“The knowledge that I gained in taking measurements and working with numbers through addition and subtraction in welding has helped me in this program,” he said. “My long-term goal is to work at a local manufacturing shop where I can put both my welding and machinist skills to use.”
Francisco Garcia is one of Guerra’s instructors at TSTC.
“Students like Giovanni build a strong foundation in one manufacturing program and then move into another such as Precision Machining Technology,” he said. “It will bring value to our industry partners.”
Guerra offered some advice for people who feel limited by their own personal challenges.
“Try your best, and take it day by day,” he said.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion in Precision Machining Technology, as well as certificates of completion in Precision Machining Technology and CNC Machine Operator, at its Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.