(ABILENE, Texas) – Robert Sanders, of College Station, said Industrial Systems is the “essential man’s course” at Texas State Technical College.
Sanders is always smiling when he walks into the Industrial Technology Center for classes. He is studying for an associate degree, saying his motivation is to be the best at whatever he does.
One thing he does like to do is work on things.
“I come from an old-fashioned background,” he said. “I am a gearhead at heart. I like to prep and fix things. This course is perfect for me because it is definitely the essential man’s course.”
Being one of the older students has not deterred him from helping others.
“There is a great group of guys in this class,” Sanders said. “There are some brilliant minds in this class.”
He is impressed with the creativity of the younger students and how well the instructors present lessons and lab sessions.
“With the younger guys in the class, the mix of their wisdom is great,” Sanders said. “This is a program that is perfect for any age group.”
There is also a competitive nature in class, but everyone in the class wants to succeed.
“We help each other a lot. I am highly competitive, but I am going to do what I can to help others,” he said.
While the students are working, one thing is certain.
“Safety is No. 1 for us,” Sanders said. “We are aware of what is going on around us, and if someone does something that is not safe, we stop what we are doing.”
The father of two sons, Sanders has advice for parents planning to go to college.
“Have a good support system at home,” he said. “I knew it would be hard to go to school and work, but I am so glad I have a good support system in place.”
Sanders is no stranger to TSTC. He began taking Computer Networking classes in 2004 but quickly learned it was not for him.
“I realized real quick that it was not for me. I stopped before I finished and went into the Air Force,” he said. “But I always knew that I would come back.”
He is back and enrolled in a program that he has a passion for, and he lets everyone know.
“This is an amazing school,” he said. “There is no comparison.”
TSTC trains Industrial Systems students to be machinery experts who can keep facilities running safely and efficiently. Students learn a broad range of skills needed to install, operate, test, repair and maintain a variety of mechanical equipment. They learn industry-standard safety procedures, mechanical and electrical skills, diagnostic techniques, and how to work with motors, pumps, chillers, boilers, and programmable logic control systems.
For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
