(MARSHALL, Texas) – David Fonteno, of Big Sandy, enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Process Operations program after his brother-in-law recommended it.
“My brother-in-law was there in 2014, and he got a job right after with Chevron,” he said. “All of what he said interested me.”
Process operations workers ensure the safety and quality of the production process. Often they are found working in industries such as petrochemicals, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals.
Fonteno recently received an internship with bottlecap manufacturer Closure Systems International at the company’s Kilgore location. He said he is looking forward to moving beyond his classroom’s lab and stepping into the fast-paced environment of the industry.
“I’ll be working on process equipment within the food and beverage industry and plastic manufacturing,” Fonteno said. “I think it will give me a real understanding of the different components within a plant and how a plant is run.”
At TSTC, Fonteno discovered a drive in his work ethic that he had not experienced in high school, regularly completing assignments far ahead of schedule.
He said he appreciates the diverse industry backgrounds of his TSTC instructors.
“Getting their point of view on the entire program and their experiences with the program gives me an idea of what I may be interested in versus what they are interested in, because everyone has a different point of view,” Fonteno said.
Brandon Hearnsberger, a Process Operations instructor at TSTC’s Marshall campus, has taken notice of Fonteno’s drive to succeed.
“He is a great student,” Hearnsberger said. “He comes willing to learn and is one of the top students in his class.”
Fonteno plans to earn his Associate of Applied Science degree in December.
“TSTC gives me a good opportunity to build a future for myself and a foundation for whatever I want to do,” he said.
According to onetonline.org, gas plant operators earn a median salary of $82,760 in Texas, with 220 job openings projected in the state for each year between 2022 and 2032.
Process Operations is available exclusively at TSTC’s Marshall campus. The program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.