TSTC Electromechanical Technology students learn about oil field job opportunities

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls, Electromechanical Technology, and Industrial Systems students recently learned about careers in the oil field from representatives of Alamo Pressure Pumping during employer spotlights presented on the Abilene and Sweetwater campuses.

Alamo Pressure Pumping representatives Ian Brown and Landon Burton told students about jobs and benefits with the Midland-based company.

“This is a volatile career with the economy and oil prices going up and down,” Burton said. “With Alamo, you will have many opportunities to avoid that volatility.”

Burton said the company will provide employees housing while they work their shifts in the field. The crews work 14 days at a time and then take seven days off, Brown said.

“It is a good schedule for many reasons,” he said. “You are going to alternate between working the day shift and night shift. If you work the 14-day night shift first, when you return it will be time to work on the day shift.”

Burton said his favorite shift depends on the time of year.

“I like the night shift during the summer because it is not as hot. It is hard to work the night shift during the winter when temperatures drop below freezing,” he said.

Brown said no matter the shift, the work schedule is demanding.

“It is a rough schedule if you live far away,” he said. “But having this much time off is hard to find. Alamo wants you to take that time off.”

Alamo’s employer spotlight focused on the company’s need for electronic technicians. These technicians drive to and from fracking sites in West Texas to maintain, diagnosis and repair electrical, instrumentation and automation equipment.

Before working in the field, technicians work at the company’s Stanton shop to train, Burton said.

“It depends on your work ethic and how well you perform before we put you on a crew,” he said. “It could take as little as a month and a half before you are in the field.”

Burton said most crews stay in the same general area, mostly in the Big Spring, Midland and Pecos regions.

“We will be having one of our fleets heading to South Texas,” he said of the company’s expansion.

Burton said the company does provide apprenticeship positions for people still in college. TSTC students looking to complete general education courses in the associate degree curriculum can work for the company while completing their education.

“As long as that does not interfere with your work, I would love to see people take part in that program,” Brown said. “We would be willing to work with TSTC on requirements as well. We want to take care of our employees.”

Burton told students that Alamo will be a good place to begin a career.

“This is a great opportunity for you to get your foot in the door after college,” he said. “There are a lot of job opportunities for you within the company.”

Brown and Burton warned students that they should not begin their career thinking they know everything.

“There is going to be a lot of on-the-job training,” Burton said. “We are big on team building. TSTC has prime candidates for our positions. We could see you working with us.”

Registration for the spring semester is underway. For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.