(HUTTO, Texas) – Like grandfather, like grandson is how things are working out for Kyler Smith as he begins a career in precision machining.
Smith is in the final stages of earning his Associate of Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus.
He credits his grandfather with helping him find the career field.
“My grandfather is the only reason I’m getting into machining,” Smith said. “He was a machinist at Exxon for a long time as a vibration analysis specialist, and he retired from there. Now he still machines at home, and I help.”
At only 24 years old, Smith has some life experience under his belt. His focus on precision machining is an important step in changing his life.
“I was coming out of a bad life situation, and my grandfather guided me into machining,” Smith said. “I started working in the garage with him. My grandfather has small equipment in his garage because he works on small things like watches and clocks, and I knew school was the path ahead. I just got into it and enrolled.”
Smith lives on his grandfather’s land in Bastrop and sees it as a way to spend time with family while advancing his skills.
“I help him work on gears, watch shafts and anything that’s very small,” Smith said. “He helped me learn some tips and tricks, and he helped me figure out how to make small pins for a final project I’m working on.”
Smith expects to graduate from TSTC on Dec. 18 and is looking southward for a fresh beginning.
“After graduation I’m looking at jobs in the San Antonio area,” Smith said. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about San Antonio, and I think that’ll be a good place to start.”
In Texas, CNC (computer numerical control) tool programmers earn an average annual salary of $62,160, according to onetonline.org, which forecast the number of such positions to grow 47% in the state 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 campuses.
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 spring semester is underway. To learn more, visit tstc.edu.
