(HUTTO, Texas) – Robert Hernandez spent 24 years blowing things up as a fire support specialist in the U.S. Army, but his second career will have him fixing things instead.
Hernandez is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus.
“I like to break things, and I like to build things too,” Hernandez said. “I come from a bunch of blue-collar workers. My dad is a Vietnam veteran who drove trucks when he got out of the Army.”
Hernandez did not take a break between retiring from service and starting his education for a new career.
“I retired on Sept. 1, 2024, and my classes began Sept. 3,” Hernandez said. “I can’t sit still after doing 24 years in the Army.”
Hernandez’s class schedule currently matches those of his teen children enrolled in the Hutto Independent School District.
“I spent the last 2 1/2 years in the Army as a geographical bachelor away from my kids,” Hernandez said. “The current pace is nice. I go to school and then take care of the kids until my wife gets home from work. I’ll do this until I get a job in the industry.”
While Hernandez builds his skills, he stays aware of his job options.
“There is an internship opportunity with ICU Medical after this semester,” Hernandez said. “I’m planning to apply for that, and hopefully it will eventually lead to working for them full time.”
In the Industrial Systems program at its East Williamson County campus, TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems – Mechanical Specialization and several certificates of completion.
The program is part of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee, which refunds a participating graduate’s tuition if he or she has not found a job in their field within six months after graduation. For more information, visit tstc.edu/mbg.
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
