(WACO, Texas) – As a child, Taylor Allen looked up to her grandfather who was a blueprint consultant. Now, years later, she has earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology from Texas State Technical College.
She received the degree at TSTC’s Spring 2019 Commencement recently held in Waco.
“I was always the crafty kid in school, and coming here I took it to a bigger scale,” said Allen, 20, of Waco. “I love being able to draw something and then build it with my own hands.”
Allen’s bubbly personality and work ethic helped her excel in the classroom.
“She’s a great, hardworking student,” said Herschel Miller, a TSTC Building Construction Technology instructor. “She’s always on top of things and studies very hard. She takes pride in her work, and she’s got good leadership skills.”
Allen’s leadership abilities landed her the role of president of Beta Gamma Tau, the construction-oriented, co-educational student organization. She also helped give tours to potential students.
“They used me to give tours to students because I can connect with them on a level that older people can’t,” Allen said. “I show students the different opportunities they have here. You don’t have to go to a big university.”
Miller said Allen helped assist her classmates as well.
“She’s always willing to help somebody in need,” Miller said. “I see her in the break room doing that.”
Allen was chosen to lead many projects for her class assignments. She hopes to translate that into her career.
“I’m really aiming for project manager,” Allen said. “I’m going to make sure it’s done right and that ethics and morals are in place. It goes back to giving people what they want.”
Eventually she wants to start her own business.
“I could see myself starting my own business up. That’s ultimately my goal,” Allen said. “Let me be an owner. Let me be in charge and get it done right.”
Allen is excited about the opportunities in the construction field. However, she is still going to miss her time at TSTC.
“I’m going to miss the acceptance, and I’m going to miss the teamwork,” Allen said. “It’s something different every day. One day you can be drawing a house; the next day you can be making a ‘barndominium’. Each class is something different.”
Allen encourages other women to follow her lead in pursuing a career in construction.
“I want to work as hard as the guys, and I love it,” Allen said. “I need these girls to realize we can do it, and we will.”
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to www.tstc.edu.
