Franklin foresees many opportunities with TSTC certificate
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Jake Franklin has learned he will be able to do more than work on a truck after completing Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program.
Franklin, of Snyder, began studying for a Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck certificate of completion this summer. He has found that there are ample job opportunities when he completes the program.
“When I first started this summer, I thought I would want to work for Caterpillar,” he said. “TSTC has shown me there are other opportunities available.”
Franklin said that a recent employer spotlight featuring Archrock led him to consider a different career option. Archrock, based in Houston, provides natural gas compression services and equipment for the oil and natural gas industry throughout the country.
“After hearing what Archrock has to offer, I think a career in stationary engines would be good,” he said. “I have time to decide what I would like to do.”
He said companies like Archrock would be a good choice for an employer for one important reason.
“Businesses like that are not going to go out of business anytime soon,” he said. “I look forward to seeing what other companies come here to let us know the opportunities we have after graduation.”
Franklin has been around engines his entire life. When he is not breaking horses on the family farm in Scurry County, he is working on the equipment his family uses to maintain the land.
“I have operated a lot of equipment at the farm,” he said. “I like to see how things work.”
While working at a hydraulic company, Franklin learned about TSTC’s diesel program.
“My boss went to TSTC, and the shop foreman went to school at TSTC,” he said. “They both told me that if I wanted a career in diesel, TSTC would be the place to learn.”
Franklin has seen the advice pay off.
“I have been learning quite a bit every day,” he said. “This semester, I have been working with the basic parts of the engine and fuel systems. I did not know we had to work with so many components of an engine.”
As he continues through the program, Franklin knows it will be challenging.
“I cannot wait to get started working on the transmission,” he said. “I know that will be intense because I have not worked on that before.”
TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology instructor Lane White does not see Franklin having trouble as he progresses.
“He started this summer and has been keeping up with our final semester students,” he said. “Jake is working hard to learn as much as he can. He is going to have a good career in the industry.”
Franklin said that in addition to the hands-on lab sessions, another aspect he likes about attending TSTC is talking to instructors.
“They have a lot to provide us, and the best thing is they make it easy for me to ask questions,” he said. “The instructors want us to be ready to work.”
TSTC offers Associate of Applied Science degrees with different specializations, as well as several certificates of completion, in Diesel Equipment Technology at its Fort Bend County, Marshall, North Texas, Sweetwater and Waco campuses. The program is part of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee program. If a participating graduate does not find a job in their field within six months of graduating, TSTC will refund their tuition in full.
Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.
