(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Welding program in Brownwood is drawing students from a variety of backgrounds — from a military veteran and a high school graduate who got a head start on college to someone seeking a hands-on, lucrative career.
“This is a good class,” said Salvador Marquez, the program’s instructor. “They all have the willingness to learn.”
Clark Harris, a 14-year U.S. Army veteran, said he wanted to build on his mechanical experience after leaving the service.
“People always asked me for favors,” he said. “I thought I would learn the skills and eventually run my own shop.”
Harris first learned about TSTC while serving as an Army recruiter at a career fair.
“The instructor actually started recruiting me while I was there,” he said with a laugh. “I told him I’d give it a look — and here I am.”
For Jaden Smith, of Ballinger, the commitment to attend TSTC involves a 120-mile round trip twice a week. He graduated from Ballinger High School one year early after the school district offered to cover his college tuition.
“It’s definitely worth the drive,” Smith said. “I wanted to take advantage of the free college opportunity.”
Smith has already earned a welding certificate, but said he is working toward his associate degree to refine his craft.
“I want to get better at the skills,” he said.
Another student, Taylor Drew of Gustine, said she chose TSTC because she wanted to start her career sooner rather than later.
“I want to make money and get to work,” she said. “I enjoy coming into the lab and getting to work.”
Drew said Marquez’s teaching style is one of the program’s strengths.
“His big deal is safety,” she said. “He makes sure that we pay attention to every detail.”
According to onetonline.org, welders in Texas earn a yearly median salary of more than $49,000. Welding jobs are expected to grow by 11% in the state between 2022 and 2032.
Registration for the spring semester is underway. To learn more, visit tstc.edu.