(WACO, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s aviation maintenance programs learned from industry professionals what it takes to be hired during an employer panel hosted by the college’s Career Services department on Tuesday, July 30, at the Waco campus.
The panel discussion was held at the Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center. Panelists represented Brazos Valley Flight Services in College Station, JAG Aviation in McGregor, and Texas Instruments in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
“I thought it was very valuable to let the students know what is available to them,” said Jennifer Kidd, JAG Aviation’s general manager, who also works with human resources and safety.
The company representatives said some of the qualities they seek in potential employees are dependability, trust and an appreciation for work.
“We look for people who can figure their way through technical problems, whether it is mechanical or electrical, and are trainable,” said Patrick Adams, an equipment engineer at Texas Instruments.
Students asked questions about company tours and the onboarding process.
Christopher Skillman, of Santa Fe, Texas, is scheduled to graduate in August with associate degrees from the Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology programs. He is job hunting and said he wants to stay in Texas to work.
Skillman has attended Career Services employer events before. He said they are good opportunities for companies to get in front of students to talk about what they do.
TSTC’s Waco campus offers associate degrees in the Aircraft Airframe Technology, Aircraft Pilot Training Technology, Aircraft Powerplant Technology and Avionics Technology programs. Certificates of completion are offered in the Aircraft Airframe Technology, Aircraft Powerplant Technology and Avionics Technology programs. A certificate of completion is also offered for Aircraft Pilot Training Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
Registration continues for the fall semester at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.
