(MARSHALL, Texas) – Autry Adams knew that he wanted to work on Caterpillar machinery since high school, but attending Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus showed him that getting there could be half the fun.
In 2007, Adams graduated with not only an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology, but also a job at construction equipment supplier HOLT CAT in Longview.
“What I took away from (my time at TSTC) was not to focus in on one single thing, and I realized that having a very diverse education was beneficial,” he said. “It instilled in me not to shy away from learning things even though I thought they wouldn’t be applicable.”
At TSTC, Adams acted as a student ambassador and the vice president of Phi Theta Kappa honor society for TSTC’s Marshall campus. On weekends, he would team up with his friends to organize activities for fellow students.
“We helped plan kickball tournaments, fish fries, different stuff like that,” Adams said. “Everybody on campus knew when the weekend got there, we were probably going to be doing something, so they’d come over.”
Now, after 17 years with HOLT CAT, Adams is a level-five field service technician.
Eric Dangel, lead technician for the HOLT CAT’s shop in Longview, said Adams has helped his career progress during their eight years as co-workers.
“He’s very knowledgeable — definitely somebody you can go to to ask a question and get the right information from,” Dangel said. “Everybody that’s working with him, he’s watching for their safety and making sure everybody’s doing the right thing.”
Adams said he does more than just fix machines as part of his job.
“I’m helping to keep businesses moving, I’m helping to keep construction projects moving, I’m helping to keep infrastructure built,” he said. “It feels good to be a part of keeping things going.”
According to onetonline.org, jobs for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists were expected to increase 19% in Texas from 2020 to 2030. Such technicians employed in the state earn an annual average salary of $56,780, the website stated.
Diesel Equipment Technology is available at TSTC’s Fort Bend County, Marshall, North Texas, Sweetwater and Waco campuses. Depending on campus location, the program offers Associate of Applied Science degrees with different specializations. Several certificates of completion also are offered.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.
