Texas State Technical College will be opening a new campus in Fort Bend County in August 2016, but the college is already producing successful students like alumnus Matthew Fresquez, and placing them in good paying jobs in and around the Fort Bend region.

Fresquez graduated from TSTC in Fort Bend County in 2012 with a certificate in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology and a job offer in hand. He was on the dean’s list throughout his college career and graduated with honors. 

“TSTC has definitely changed my family’s life for the better,” said Fresquez. “Getting a job straight out of college and earning a steady income has helped my family tremendously.”

Prior to enrolling at TSTC, Fresquez worked as a helper and installer for a local HVAC company. After a couple of years with the company, he knew he needed to go to college.

“I felt I wasn’t getting the training I needed with the employer I was with,” said Fresquez. “I wanted to advance my career and I wasn’t getting where I wanted to be.”

Enrolling in the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning program at TSTC was the next step Fresquez needed to advance in the career he loved and provide a stable financial environment for his wife and two sons.

Fresquez was with the company that hired him right after college for three years, but in March, he will begin a new chapter in his career at a new company: Chimney Rock Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. He will be working as a service technician and the owner of the company is excited about having him on board.

“There is a shortage of skilled and highly trained workers in the HVAC field,” said Brian McIlwain, owner of Chimney Rock. “But I can tell that Matthew has all the required skills and passion needed to succeed with my company. Because of the education he received I have full confidence in his abilities and I’m so excited to have him on board.”

Fresquez credits the hands-on learning approach TSTC takes with all of its programs for helping him take his skills to the next level.

“I left TSTC more knowledgeable than I came in and ready to take on the workforce,” said Fresquez. “I practiced with all of the equipment I could. After all it’s everything you use while working in the field.”

Fresquez said his experience at TSTC was rewarding and fulfilling. He said his instructor Keith Klix played a huge role in his success in the program.

“Keith is a great instructor. He’s so knowledgeable in the field and has so much experience,” said Fresquez. “He not only showed us how to get the job done, but how to get it done right.”

Come August 2016, Fresquez hopes to enroll at the new TSTC campus to work toward an associate degree in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology. He hopes continuing his education will give him the opportunity of becoming an instructor at TSTC someday.

“I want to be a good example for my sons,” said Fresquez. “I hope watching me graduate and seeing how our lifestyle has changed for the better will inspire them to go to college someday.”

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology is also offered at TSTC’s Harlingen, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County Campuses.

Registration for the summer and fall semesters begins April 4. To apply visit tstc.edu today!

For more information on the program in Fort Bend County call 281-239-1586.