TSTC hosts Discovery Day for high school students

(HUTTO, Texas) – Hundreds of high school students from throughout the area attended Texas State Technical College’s Discovery Day held Thursday, Nov. 16, at the East Williamson County campus.

“We get to introduce a brand-new group of students to the opportunities in skilled trades,” said Sam Flener, lead instructor in TSTC’s Welding Technology program.

Visitors learned about what the college’s Career Services department does for students and sampled chocolate chip cookies that Culinary Arts students had made.

Apolinar Ruiz, lead instructor in TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program, showed attendees equipment that his students use, such as a caliper and a  roughing insert. Visitors also watched Ruiz’s students use the program’s manual and computer numerical control machines in their class.

Students asked instructors how long it takes to finish certificates of completion and associate degrees, how much tuition costs, and how much money can be made in specific industries.

Brandon Atchison Reyes, a senior at Thrall High School, attended last year’s Discovery Day at TSTC’s Waco campus and this year’s event at the Hutto campus. He said he enjoyed learning about the Industrial Systems and Welding Technology programs.

Reyes said he was appreciative of his high school being able to send students to visit TSTC.

“This gives me opportunities to figure out which program suits me and what I see myself doing in the future,” he said.

Reyes was one of 15 juniors and seniors from Thrall High School attending Thursday’s event.

Pflugerville High School sent 35 seniors to the event. Lily Dominguez, a counselor at the high school, said a lot of the students are still undecided about what to do after high school.

“I hope it provides some opportunities for them,” she said of the event.

Registration continues for the spring semester. For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.