TSTC Industrial Systems student sees education pay off at work

(ABILENE, Texas) - Even though he is still in school, Levi Vasquez said studying Industrial Systems at Texas State Technical College is helping him at his current employer.

"I know a lot of the terminology being used in the shop," he said of his job at Ethos Pet Brands in Brownwood. "I have been able to learn things in class, go to work and see them in the field. That makes it easier to understand."

Vasquez, of Blanket, said he chose to attend TSTC after touring the Industrial Technology Center in Abilene and seeing the Industrial Systems lab.

"My dad worked in power generation in the U.S. Army, and he liked doing that," he said. "In my eyes, my dad could fix anything. That made me think I could do the same thing."

Vasquez is excited about what he is learning while studying for a certificate of completion.

"I grew up fixing things with my dad. I could not tell you what I fixed," he said. "Now I am able to tell you exactly what I fixed and how."

Vasquez credits the program's instructors for teaching him proper terminology and approaches for making repairs. The instructors see a positive trait in Vasquez during class.

"He is always a leader in class and tries to learn new things," Terry Steelman, one of Vasquez's instructors, said. "He is a good team player who is willing to help others learn."

Vasquez said he talks to his father on a daily basis about what he has learned or done at school or work.

"He is proud of what I have been able to do in such a short period of time," he said.

Vasquez said he has talked to friends about the program in Abilene. His message to future students is a simple one.

"This program is going to teach you a lot and give you great structure," he said. "It will take you to where you need to be to have a good career."

The need for industrial machinery mechanics will increase over the next few years. According to onetonline.org, such positions were expected to grow by 35% in Texas between 2020 and 2030. The average annual salary for an industrial machinery mechanic in Texas is $60,480, according to the website.

In the Industrial Systems program in Abilene, TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems - Mechanical Specialization and several certificates of completion.

The program is part of TSTC's Money-Back Guarantee, which refunds a participating graduate's tuition if he or she has not found a job in their field within six months of graduation. For more information, visit tstc.edu/mbg.

Applications for the spring semester are being accepted. Spring registration begins Oct. 28. To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

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