(WACO, Texas) – Tyler Residori of Robinson is a Texas State Technical College student who has always had an interest in heavy equipment. As he said, he was “always tinkering with something” at a young age.
Residori is pursuing a degree in the Diesel Equipment Technology program that is providing him with exceptional experience.
The Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology – John Deere Construction and Forestry gives students real-time experience in the construction world.
Students who pursue this degree are required to be sponsored by a John Deere dealer that they plan to work for after graduation. This requires an internship with any John Deere equipment dealer across the state of Texas.
Residori is currently sponsored by RDO Equipment Co. in Hewitt, where he has worked for seven months as a heavy-equipment technician. Moving into the John Deere program was, and continues to be, a challenge for him.
“Nothing is easy,” he said. “You don’t see the same problem every day.”
While the degree program has its challenges, Residori said, “If you like working on heavy equipment, do it.”
The benefit for students who choose this degree plan is that if they maintain a 3.0 GPA, then the company will reimburse their tuition over the course of four to five years.
Another benefit is job security at a chosen John Deere dealership after they graduate. TSTC instructor Daniel Phillips said students have an opportunity to apply their knowledge in a realistic setting.
“They are learning at school and getting hands-on experience all at the same time, and they don’t have to worry about getting a job when they graduate,” Phillips said.
Lead instructor David Folz said the department has always had good luck placing its students in good jobs.
“If they are willing to work and they can present themselves, they have a job right now,” Folz said.
The Diesel Equipment Technology program also offers associate degrees in Heavy Truck and Off Highway Equipment.
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.
