TSTC Industrial Systems student sets example for others

(HUTTO, Texas) – Rebekah DeLeeuw, of Hutto, stands out for more than one reason.

She is currently the only female in the Industrial Systems program at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus. She is in her second semester.

“I don’t notice I am the only girl here that often,” DeLeeuw said. “I think I have picked up on it (the program’s lessons) really fast. I like to know how things work. My brain likes that information.”

She enjoys the program’s hybrid format, listening to lectures online at home and completing hands-on labs on campus. Her favorite lessons have focused on hydraulics and motor controls.

“Rebekah has a very high mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn new things, and that combination has her at the top of her class,” said Lance Antilley, an instructor in TSTC’s Industrial Systems program at the East Williamson County campus. 

When DeLeeuw was in high school, she thought about studying astronomy or astrophysics or joining the military.

“I was in the marching band and a lot of mathematics classes,” she said. “I did not get into the trade classes they had (at Hutto High School). I was not aware of them until it was too late.”

She took dual enrollment classes through Temple College while she was in high school but said she was aware of TSTC.

“Of the programs here (at TSTC), I felt like this program covered the most information,” she said. “I came and toured the program with my father and applied a couple of weeks after that.”

DeLeeuw’s plan after graduation is to move to North Dakota, where her sister lives, and find a great-paying job in her degree field. She also wants to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Zippia.com, a career expert website, estimates only 4% of industrial mechanics in the United States are women.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems – Mechanical Specialization and certificates of completion in Industrial Systems Mechanic at the East Williamson County campus.

The Industrial Systems program is part of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee. Students in their first semester are eligible to sign up for free with campus Career Services representatives. Students are able to take part in workshops in which they learn about resume writing, interview techniques and other employment skills. Students who are not hired in their field within six months after graduation may be eligible to get a tuition refund for their time at TSTC.

During the month of March, TSTC is honoring women in history and on its campuses who work to make strides in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields every day.

For more information, go to tstc.edu.