(RED OAK, Texas) – As a military wife that frequently relocated, it was difficult for Cierra DeVoe to establish her own career. One day, she discovered the world of drafting.
“I was working as a scheduler for a small, outdoor construction company in Florida,” the Las Vegas, Nevada, native said. “There was a person there who did plan sets for the city permits and 3D visualization and they needed help one day. I didn’t even know what CAD (computer-aided drafting) was, but I was like, ‘oh, I’ll help you.’”
When DeVoe moved from Nebraska to Texas, she discovered Texas State Technical College’s online programs, specifically Drafting and Design. Encouraged by the program’s flexibility and performance-based education model, she enrolled in its Architectural Design and Engineering Technology program.
“I haven’t seen a lot of other opportunities where it was performance-based education,” DeVoe said. “It was a big draw and it really delivered what I needed.”
To meet requirements for one of her classes, DeVoe found an internship with engineering consultant Kimley-Horn’s Fort Worth location. Though balancing the extra work with her education meant taking fewer classes each semester and extending her time at TSTC, she was rewarded with a full-time job at the company before she received her degree.
“Normally, they don’t bring you on until you have the degree, but because I’d been there so long, they decided to offer it,” DeVoe said. “It’s been good to be exposed to lots of different things. I’ve worked primarily on wastewater, but I’ve done stuff for roadway, and I’ve done stuff for aviation, so it’s been really rewarding.”
Rebecca Carroll, a Drafting and Design instructor for TSTC, said DeVoe is a hardworking and dedicated student and her performance in her internship greatly stood out.
“She handled real-world responsibilities with professionalism and attention to detail,” Carroll said. “She communicated clearly, asked thoughtful questions, and always sought to improve. She is a true asset to Kimley-Horn and whatever her future holds.”
DeVoe is a candidate for graduation for an associate degree in Architectural Design and Engineering Technology in May. At Kimley-Horn, she has worked her way up from draftsman to VDC (virtual design and construction) technician and looks forward to growing further.
“I really feel now, whether it’s with the firm I’m at or in the future, that I have a lot of good tools to keep thriving in this environment I picked,” DeVoe said.
Drafting and Design is available in a hybrid format at TSTC’s Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses, as well as online. Several associate degrees and certificates of completion are offered, depending on location.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.