TSTC Precision Machining Technology alumnus finds career at UT

(HUTTO, Texas) - Lions, tigers and Longhorns, oh my! Texas State Technical College graduate Chris Gamble found a machining career at the University of Texas at Austin.

Gamble graduated with a certificate of completion in Precision Machining Technology from TSTC's East Williamson County campus in 2023. He was already working in a machine shop while in school when a new opportunity was brought to him.

"I was in my last semester, and Apol (Apolinar Ruiz) told me about an opening at UT," Gamble said. "I applied and started in October 2023, two months before graduation."

Gamble works in a machine shop that is part of UT's Engineering Teaching Center. The shop also serves as an active lab for many engineering students each semester.

"I don't teach students," Gamble said. "But we have students in labs, help answer questions and teach engineering students about the machines and materials. When students ask questions that I can answer properly, it makes me know that I know what I'm talking about."

Gamble made it clear that he still gets to work on his own projects while making sure the students are safe.

"This is a functional machine shop," Gamble said. "We do projects for the entire school based on their needs. One time we made a grate for the stadium with the Longhorn logo in it before a game."

Gamble said he uses the skills he learned at TSTC every day.

"I was trained as a CNC (computer numerical control) programmer on the TL-1 and VF-2 machines," Gamble said. "That's what I use here. I love this job."

In Texas, CNC tool programmers earn an average annual salary of $62,160, according to onetonline.org, which forecast the number of such positions to grow 47% in the state from 2020 to 2030.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion in Precision Machining Technology, as well as a certificate of completion in CNC Machine Operator, at its East Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses.

Precision Machining Technology is one of nine programs at TSTC that have money-back guarantees. For more information, visit tstc.edu/mbg.

Registration for TSTC's spring semester is underway. To learn more, visit tstc.edu.

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