(WACO, Texas) – The message was the same, just in a different language.
A group of students from University High School in Waco visited Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems, Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology and Precision Machining Technology programs on Wednesday, March 27. The program tours were conducted in Spanish in a group format for the first time.
“Helping our monolingual Spanish students explore the different fields of trade allows our school to connect further with Spanish communities who are seeking education and hands-on experience,” said Diana Villatoro, a TSTC admissions advisor.
TSTC faculty members, with the help of bilingual staff and students, told the high school students about what life is like in their programs along with the career potential.
“I hope it brings awareness that this is something they can do,” said Jeremy Bailey, a Precision Machining Technology instructor. “We have students and instructors that speak Spanish. We hope this is an avenue they can take.”
Luis Arizpe, a Precision Machining Technology student from Corsicana, eagerly showed students equipment he uses daily.
“I was once in their place too,” he said.
Arizpe said students interested in the program need to understand mathematics, be open minded and think through problems.
Some of the University High students shot video on their cell phones of equipment in the labs. Others peeked inside computer numerical controlled machines in the Precision Machining Technology program.
Axel Gonzalez, a University High School senior, plans this fall to attend TSTC and study Automotive Technology. He said through an interpreter that he liked the hydraulic pumps he saw in the Industrial Systems program and how you can get your hands dirty.
“This is a great school with a lot of programs and everyone can come and learn,” Gonzalez said.
A bilingual group of Waco High School students are scheduled to tour the programs on Friday, April 26.
Summer and fall registration for current TSTC students is now underway. New students can start registering at TSTC on Monday, April 8.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.
