(ROSENBERG, Texas) - With the knowledge that practice makes perfect, Texas State Technical College held an inaugural job interview session for students in Fort Bend County, an event that is a job-readiness tradition on most of the other TSTC campuses statewide. 

TSTC’s Talent Management and Career Services hosted this first-ever Interview Practicum with assistance from industry partners and TSTC faculty and staff.  

Soon-to-be TSTC graduates from Electrical Lineworker Technology and Electrical Power and Controls participated in the event that included mock job interviews, resume building and interview skills workshops.

TSTC Placement Coordinator Judy Cox said each student participated in a round of interviews, each 30 minutes long, and were provided constructive feedback on how to improve his/her resumes and interview skills.

“It’s important to ensure the success of our students,” said Cox. “We create students who are not only technically skilled, but also well-rounded with the people skills they need to competently and confidently present themselves to industry recruiters.”

Industry partners such as Kiewit Corporation; Atec, Inc.; Burns & McDonnell and IBEW Electrical Lineworkers Local Union 66 participated in the event helping with interview coaching and providing student feedback.

Ben Holmes, business representative for IBEW, said he was happy to help TSTC in providing this type of opportunity for its students.

“We have a close relationship with TSTC and their students are graduating job-ready and with the technical skills we’re looking for, but improving their soft skills is also part of the plan and that’s great,” said Holmes. “Some of these students have never had an interview, so giving them the chance to practice and improve is invaluable.”

This was the case for TSTC Electrical Lineworker Technology student Angel Moran, who got his first taste of interviewing at the interview practicum.

“I was pretty nervous going into this,” said the 19-year-old. “I was shaky the first round, but really took advice to heart and felt improvement and more confidence going into the second and third rounds.” I’m glad TSTC gave us this opportunity. An interview is everything. That’s what gets you the job and career you want.”

The Fresno native, who graduates next month, said he has already been invited to interview with CenterPoint Energy in Houston and feels more prepared for the interview process because of TSTC’s recent event.

“Interview Practicum taught me a lot and has been very helpful, especially for a first-timer like me,” he said. “I’m thankful to the coaches who took the time to help us and to TSTC for its support in and out of the classroom, and for ensuring that we’re job-ready.”

 After seeing the success and positive feedback she received from students and industry partners, Cox said TSTC plans to host this event annually.

“According to our students, our event was 100 percent successful, and I agree,” she said. “The confidence I saw our students leaving with puts a smile on my face. And our industry partners were very impressed with our students’ skills. Our interview practicum can only grow from here and we’re excited for what’s to come.”

In order to promote job placement, TSTC has held interview practicums at its other ten campuses for the past decade. TSTC in Fort Bend County is among the newest but fastest growing campuses for the college. 

For more information on the services offered by Talent Management and Career Services to TSTC students and alumni, and on the programs offered, visit tstc.edu.

(WACO, Texas) - For the first time Texas State Technical College has been recognized as a Military Spouse Friendly school for 2019-2020 by Viqtory.

Viqtory is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, education and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse and Military Friendly brands.

TSTC Veterans Center Director Steve Guevara said this award reinforces the college’s commitment to military service members, veterans and their families.

“This is the first year we receive the Military Spouse Friendly recognition, and it’s a great honor,” said Guevara. “We continuously work to improve our services and ensure that we provide the best resources and assistance for veterans and their families.”

A press release released by Viqtory states that since 2009, the Military Spouse Friendly schools list has been a reliable resource for military spouses and has set a standard for higher education institutions to provide the best post-secondary education experiences for spouses of service members.

“The Military Spouse Friendly Schools designation helps military spouses select schools that will support them in their education journey by meeting their unique needs as a part of a military family,” said Brian Hucik, National Program Manager, Military Friendly. “Schools that are selected for the list are at the forefront of supporting the goals of military spouses.”

TSTC’s Veterans Center serves more than 850 military service members, veterans and their dependents including TSTC alumna and spouse to a veteran Stephanie Garcia.

Garcia, who graduated with an associate degree in Business Management Technology, now works for TSTC as a student recruitment representative and said that she would not be where she is today without TSTC’s Veteran Center.

“The veteran center is a support system for veterans and their families,” said Garcia, who was also a student worker employee at the center. “I knew that when I was there I was never alone.”

Garcia said that Guevara and his colleague, Veteran Program Officer Jose Villegas, assisted her with the application process for her educational benefits.

She would also use the Veterans Center for its computer lab and printer and for studying and relaxing.

“I got to experience the difference the center makes in someone’s life first hand,” said Garcia. “There, everyone is going through the same thing and everyone is understood. I encourage every veteran, dependent and family member to utilize its resources. Because without the Veterans Center I don’t think I could have gone through school.”

Guevara said it is stories like Garcia’s that make everything they do worthwhile.  

“This award reinforces our commitment to our service members, veterans and their families,” said Guevara. “A military family can find peace of mind that TSTC supports their educational interests and goals.”

TSTC is one of only 196 schools that were awarded this designation for 2019-2020.

The Military Spouse Friendly lists are created using data and sources from federal agencies and survey information completed by participating organizations to create a guide for military spouses looking to further their education.

TSTC, for the fourth consecutive year, has also been designated as a Military Friendly School by the same organization

“To be recognized as both a Military Friendly School and a Military Spouse Friendly School speaks volumes of our support to military families,” said Guevara.

The TSTC Veterans Center assists military service members, veterans and their families statewide with internal and external resources to ensure their educational success at TSTC.

The TSTC Veterans Center serves as a centralized, one-stop shop for prospective and current students who are veterans, as well as their dependents. The center assists with admissions, financial aid, GI Bill and Hazlewood applications.

In addition to the Veterans Center, TSTC also offers self-paced, competency-based learning for veterans who have gained applicable skills through their service in the military. Veterans can receive credit for these skills to move ahead on their certificate or degree plan quicker.

For more information on the services offered by TSTC’s Veteran Center, call 956-364-4387 or visit tstc.edu/veterans.

(ROSENBERG, Texas) - Two years ago when Hurricane Harvey devastated the Gulf Coast, Texas State Technical College student Nolen Maraman and his family lost their home to flooding, forcing them to start over, yet through it all he also found a new career.

“We had to evacuate north, in the middle of the storm,” said the 22-year-old. “And as we were leaving, I saw a number of electric companies arriving. There were men and women ready to get power up and running the moment the storm moved out of our area. To me that was intriguing and brave.”

Maraman would spend the next several days researching about what an electrical lineworker is and does.

“It didn’t take long for me to realize that becoming an electrical lineworker is what I wanted to do,” said the Cat Spring native. “It’s a career with many opportunities to offer, including the chance to help others.”

There was only one thing delaying his start at TSTC, and that was his last semester at Sam Houston University, he was only a few months away from graduation.

Maraman went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in business management, but he said it was only a path for him to follow, not what he wanted to do. He had found his true passion, and that was at TSTC.

“At first my family was a bit skeptical about me not pursuing a job with my degree, and returning to a technical college,” he said. “But after I showed them the number of job opportunities that would be available to me, how in demand my skills would be and my projected salary, they trusted my choice and were supportive every step of the way.”

He expects to graduate in August with a certificate in Electrical Lineworker Technology and said that the training he has received in his program will allow him to hit the ground running when he enters the workforce.

“I came in completely new. I knew nothing about the field,” said Maraman, “But because of the program’s experienced instructors and the hands-on, real-world training they provide to their students with an on-campus pole yard, I now know the foundation and the basics that I need to be a successful lineman.”

Maraman added that not only has he found his passion and new career, but he has also found happiness.

“I can honestly say I’m happy now,” he said. “I’m working toward a career that helps others, that I’m passionate about and that gives me room for growth.”

In fact, both of Maraman’s parents received a technical education. His mom began her career as an emergency medical technician and his dad is an underwater welder.

“Technical education fuels our workforce,” said Maraman. “In my experience, my certificate is giving me more job opportunities than my bachelor’s degree, it’s unbelievable.”

Maraman also said that he highly recommends TSTC and the many programs being offered.

“These are life-long careers, not just jobs,” he said. “And I’m excited to begin mine. And I have (Hurricane) Harvey to thank for this.”

Graduates from TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program, also offered at the college’s Marshall and Waco campuses, can expect to be in demand for the nation’s highest paying career. Texas employs more lineworkers than any other state.

According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of lineworkers is expected to grow eight percent, and job opportunities will be best for persons with good technical and mechanical skills. In 2018 the median annual wage was more than $70,000.

For more information on TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program or to apply, visit tstc.edu.

(ROSENBERG, Texas) - Brian Bradley was once a Texas State University Bobcat, yet he never graduated. But now, at 29 years old, he can call himself a graduate of Texas State Technical College.

The Fulshear native graduated Thursday night as a Board of Regent honors graduate, with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and an associate degree in Cyber Security Technology.

He joined 38 other graduates of TSTC in Fort Bend County who earned either a certificate or an associate degree during the college’s commencement ceremony at the Stafford Centre.

“I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” said Bradley. “The fact that I’m graduating hasn’t sunk in yet, but knowing that I now have a trade, a skill, is an achievement to me.”

Bradley started his college career at Texas State University as a kinesiology major because he enjoyed playing sports and exercising, but he soon realized it wasn’t the best career choice for him.

Noticing the limited career opportunities that kinesiology would have given him and with a newborn baby, he turned to working.

“At this point, I no longer had a career passion or something that I could say I would be happy doing for the rest of my life,” he said. “So with a new family member came added responsibility, and it was time for me to support my family.”

Bradley worked in the restaurant and bar industries and as a sales representative up until he enrolled at TSTC in 2017.

“I spent too much time working jobs that I never really enjoyed, but I needed to make a decent living,” said Bradley. “Enough was enough. There were too many holidays missed with my family, long shifts and crazy hours. It was time to find a career.”

It was through a friend who built and repaired computers that Bradley first realized his passion for technology and computers.

“We’d get together, and he would show me his work.  even helped in his computer build,” he said. “This is when I realized I could make computers and technology a career.”

He did not take the decision of going back to college lightly. It was going to be a large sacrifice and change for his family of five.

Upon enrolling at TSTC, the family sold their home and moved in with relatives, where they still reside.

“I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive family. They have been on this journey with me since day one,” said Bradley. “But the way we saw it is you must give ground to gain ground. And this was really to give my family a better life.”

Bradley and his family made it through the long nights and financial constraints knowing it would all be worth it in the end.

And worth it it was. Halfway through Bradley’s program of study, he was offered an internship with Frontline Computer Services, whose owner was seeking a TSTC Cyber Security student.

“It all happened rather fast, but I owe this opportunity to my instructor, Alan Sulak,” he said. “Along with the real-world training I received at TSTC and the experience I have gained at Frontline, I feel like I’m prepared and ready to conquer the cyber security industry.”

At Frontline, Bradley has been able to work with small and medium businesses, providing network infrastructure monitoring, network security, hardware repair, and maintenance and technical support.

Frontline is also the place where Bradley will begin his career upon graduating. Ultimately Bradley hopes to work in penetration testing, which is hacking into networks to help companies repair vulnerabilities and protect identities.

“It feels great knowing the opportunities that lie ahead,” he said. “I now have a career, a passion, and I’m on the right path because of TSTC. And I want to tell anyone thinking of pursuing a two-year degree to just do it. Having a skill and trade improves employability and opens doors of opportunity.”

Bradley celebrated his achievement with his wife, children, his father, who is Rosenberg Police Department Sergeant Michael Bradley, and other family members.

More than 1,000 TSTC students will earn a certificate or degree statewide during Spring 2019, joining an alumni network of 100,000 strong.  

(ROSENBERG) - Troy Eads is only two years in as the Electrical Lineworker Technology instructor at Texas State Technical College, but he is already making a lasting impression on his students and colleagues, earning him a 2019 Chancellor’s Excellence Award.

“When I received notification about the award, I had no idea what was going on or what this award meant,” said Eads. “It was definitely a surprise and after learning more about its meaning I am honored to have been thought about so highly by those I work with.”

The Chancellor’s Excellence Award has celebrated employees who exhibit TSTC’s core values of Excellence, Accountability, Service and Integrity for nearly the past two decades.

To receive this award, TSTC employees are nominated by their peers, provosts and vice chancellors, and are chosen for their distinguished service, commitment and dedication to the college, communities and their state for this award.

“The teammates who win this award model excellence for us all and are recognized for both their sound character and for advancing TSTC’s new direction,” said TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser.

“Due to their caring and dedicated efforts, TSTC continues to make a difference in the employment success of our students.”

Eads was selected among 160 faculty and staff members who were nominated and is one of 35 recipients statewide.

Eads arrived at TSTC with extensive experience as a lineworker and employee for American Electric Power (AEP), where he worked for nearly two decades.

At AEP, Eads learned the trade with eight years of AEP school to hone his skills.    

“I was 22-years-old when I got to AEP. I had other odd jobs, but this was my career,” said Eads. “This is what I love, where I grew up, but the demands of the job got to me when I hit my forties.”

It was during this period when Eads began looking for something not as tedious, but still doing what he loved.

That’s when he found TSTC and the available instructor position.

“As soon as I set foot on TSTC grounds and I met my supervisor Eric Carithers, it felt like home,” said Eads. “This is where I was supposed to be.”

Despite other interviews Eads had at the time, his heart was set on TSTC.

Eads said he is proud to have been a part of helping the Electrical Lineworker Program grow in the Fort Bend County and Houston area.

“A lot of work and hands went into making this program what it is,” he said. “It was brand new when I came on board. We’re watching it grow and, even better, watching our students grow and gain careers.”

Eads said it’s hard to believe how far he has come, since asking a meter reader one day about his job and taking a leap of faith by applying to AEP with no experience.

“I don’t recommend students get into the career the way I did,” he said. “What took me eight years of training, takes only two years here at TSTC. Plus you get a technical degree, which in the long run leads to more opportunities.”

Eads will be honored in May at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) awards dinner and celebration in Austin where he and the other Chancellor’s Award recipients will receive their medallions and honors.