(RED OAK, Texas) – Joshua Hopkins, of Burleson, enjoyed serving in the U.S Navy until an injury forced him to retire early.
However, he has found a new path forward as an Advanced Manufacturing – Industrial Maintenance student at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus.
“To me, it’s a new start in my transition from the Navy,” Hopkins said. “As amazing as it was, it’s in the past now, and I am here at TSTC to be on path for a new career as a maintenance technician.”
Hopkins had always planned to get a college degree after serving in the military, and early retirement did not change that. His top priority was finding a veteran-friendly school, and TSTC was the result.
“Setting up here was so easy,” Hopkins said. “I haven’t had one issue since I’ve been here.”
Despite working with aircraft in the Navy, Hopkins said the Advanced Manufacturing program would be a good fit for his future.
“I knew how to maintain the inside skin of the ships, so I knew basic maintenance you would run throughout the day, which is extremely similar to this,” he said. “This just takes it to another advanced level for me.”
Doug Vidler, an Advanced Manufacturing instructor at TSTC’s North Texas campus, said Hopkins strives to understand each and every lesson he teaches.
“He is very open, honest, and determined to do his best in all of the classes that I have taught him in so far,” Vidler said. “He is always engaged in all the labs and lectures and is willing to work with, learn from, and help out his fellow students.”
Hopkins plans to finish work on an Associate of Applied Science degree in the program in summer 2027. Though he is not yet sure what field he wants to go into post-graduation, he said he likes learning new things each day.
Hopkins said attending TSTC has helped him readjust to life as a civilian after serving in the Navy.
“Honestly, if I wasn’t a student, I don’t think I would have been able to adjust to civilian life as much, because this kept me really grounded. If I wasn’t, it would make the transition a little harder,” he said. “It’s definitely kept me motivated, because now there’s an end goal.”
For more information on TSTC’s Veteran Affairs services, go to tstc.edu/veterans.
Registration for the fall semester at TSTC is underway. For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.