TSTC graduate turns being ‘de facto computer person’ into career

(MARSHALL, Texas) - Victoria "Tori" Lynn jumped into the workforce after earning her general education diploma. She held several jobs before enrolling at Texas State Technical College, but they all had one thing in common.

"Whether it was my job at the newspaper or my job at the vet or my job working at hotels, I was always the de facto computer person," Lynn said. "You know how it was in the late '90s and early 2000s - everybody started getting a computer. Being the young person at the time, everybody was like, 'Hey, Tori, can you come fix this for me?'"

Lynn quit her job and enrolled in TSTC's Computer Systems Networking Technology program, which has become the Computer Networking and Systems Administration program. She excelled as a student, earning a 4.0 grade point average, joining honor society Phi Theta Kappa and becoming a student worker, which led to an adjunct instructor position at the Marshall campus.

"I told people at the time that if I could find a way to be a professional student, I would have done so," Lynn said. "I just love to learn, especially when it's technical stuff."

Lynn proved that love by enrolling in the Software Development Technology program (now Computer Programming Technology) after graduating from Computer Systems Networking Technology in 2002. By 2003, she had earned two Associate of Applied Science degrees.

Lynn served as a Web Design and Development instructor at TSTC for a while before reentering the workforce. She is now an automated systems manager for information technology consulting services company Cynergy Technology, where she recently marked her tenth anniversary.

"You could not have made a better job for the two degrees that I've got," she said. "On top of being able to script and automate and use both of my degrees in a practical way, I'm also getting to continue to train others and push those fundamentals."

Lynn said she still advocates for technical education.

"People trying to feed families and improve their lives, the technical, hands-on types of jobs are where it's at," she said. "It's the least amount of time to get into the workforce with quite possibly the highest-paying salaries you can get without a four-year degree. TSTC has got a very special place in my heart."

Computer Networking and Systems Administration is available online and at TSTC's Abilene, East Williamson County, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses. Computer Programming Technology is offered 100% online.

TSTC's spring registration begins Oct. 28. For more information, visit tstc.edu.