(MARSHALL, Texas) – When Rolando Trevino was laid off from his job in railroad manufacturing, he decided to find a new way to provide for his family. So he joined the Precision Machining Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall location.
“I’ve always seen that the people who went for machining were paid more, and at the time I was a single dad of two kids,” the Longview resident said. “I wanted to get back in the machine shop, but without experience or a degree, it’s really hard to do that. I pushed myself and went to TSTC, and that’s what got me where I am today.”
Trevino said that although getting into the college mindset was challenging, his love for his children helped him succeed.
“My kids are my driving force,” he said. “They drove me to take that extra step.”
Trevino graduated from TSTC’s Marshall location with his certificate of completion in 2023. He said he appreciated all that TSTC did to provide for him in the process.
“They were always willing to work with a working man, and they really went out of their way to help me achieve my goals,” Trevino said.
During his time at TSTC, Trevino began working as a CNC (computer numerical control) machinist/draftsman for Norris Cylinder, a manufacturer of high-pressure steel and acetylene cylinders.
Agustin Corral Jr., a senior machinist for Norris Cylinder, has worked with Trevino for several years. He said he could talk on and on about Trevino’s accomplishments during his time with the company.
“He does not give up,” Corral said. “It doesn’t matter what it is, he’s going to push himself night and day till he gets the goal he’s set for himself.”
Trevino is considering going back to TSTC for his Associate of Applied Science degree someday.
“I don’t know where I would be without TSTC,” Trevino said. “They really helped me provide a better life for my family.”
According to onetonline.org, CNC tool programmers earn an average of $62,160 per year in Texas, where the number of such jobs was projected to increase 47% from 2020 to 2030.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion in Precision Machining Technology, as well as a certificate of completion in CNC Machine Operator, at its East Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas and Waco locations.
Precision Machining Technology is one of nine programs at TSTC that have money-back guarantees. For more information, visit tstc.edu/mbg.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.
