(RED OAK, Texas) – In his 20 years with the U.S. Army, Aaron Orr gained experience in multiple fields, such as airborne medicine and information technology. Set to retire from the military on Friday, Jan. 30, Orr enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration program. He is in his final semester.
Orr, of Midlothian, said he tried to earn a degree in the past, but found a traditional four-year university was not for him.
“I’m not good in that kind of setting; I wanted to be more hands-on,” he said. “Technical college was never something I got into because I didn’t know what it was, but now that I’m here, this is where I’m supposed to be.”
Orr compared TSTC’s computer networking program to learning multiple languages at the same time, but the curriculum’s structure allows him and his fellow students to take things step by step, making the process easier.
“Everybody here has actual, real-world experience,” he said about his instructors. “Everybody can translate everything that they say into what they’ve actually done with their hands.”
When a position for a student worker became available at the TSTC’s North Texas campus, Orr was recommended for it. Orr accepted the position to spend more time at TSTC and build rapport with the staff.
“I enjoy it because it feels almost like being a contractor, where I can come in and I can help and do stuff and learn things that are outside of the program that I’m already in by helping somebody else,” Orr said. “It’s almost like free education on the back end.”
Valerie Fell, a program team lead for TSTC’s North Texas campus, said Orr has a standout work ethic as a computer networking student which has carried over to his position as a student worker.
“Aaron has been extremely helpful with tasks in all programs and areas of our campus,” Fell said. “He gets to work right away and doesn’t like to leave a job unfinished. Everyone who has worked with him raves about the work he does and genuinely enjoys working with him.”
Orr plans to earn his associate degree in spring 2026 from TSTC.
Aside from the North Texas campus, Computer Networking and Systems Administration is available at TSTC’s Abilene, Marshall, Waco and Williamson County campuses, as well as online. The program offers an associate degree and certificates of completion in IT Support Tier 1 and IT Support Tier II.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.