(HUTTO, Texas) – Sa’eed Hudson is always looking for new challenges.
Hudson joined the Air Force after high school and has one technical degree already. His new objective is to complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus.
“I went to school after high school for physical therapy for one semester because my mom wanted me to,” he said. “I left that program to join the Air Force for four years.”
The Air Force gave Hudson his first taste of Texas while he was stationed in Abilene. After leaving the military, he lived near his mother in Mississippi but kept his options open for a chance to return.
“I got an associate degree from a school in Mississippi in industrial technology,” Hudson said. “I was recruited by an automotive company, and after a few years I was recruited by another company. They wanted me to move to Texas. I wanted to move, and Austin looked cool, so I moved.”
Hudson enjoys living in Pflugerville and currently works as a process engineer for Flex, an advanced manufacturing company in Austin.
“I wanted a more stable schedule,” Hudson said. “I work a few days on, followed by a few days off, so I have a lot of time to focus on school. Process engineering is a little labor intensive, and I want to switch to something more cerebral.”
Hudson plans to get a bachelor’s degree after he finishes his associate degree. He is also working on shifting to a position that uses his new skills.
“I already talked to the IT guy at work,” Hudson said. “Once I finish more classes, I’ll be able to look at what’s available in their department to slide over and start working in the field with them.”
According to onetonline.org, network and computer systems administrators earn a median salary of $92,360 in Texas, where the number of these jobs was projected to grow 20% between 2020 and 2030.
Computer Networking and Systems Administration is one of TSTC’s performance-based education programs in which students can move through their training at a flexible pace. The program is offered in online, in-person and hybrid formats.
At TSTC, students can pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration, certificates of completion in IT Support Tier 1 and IT Support Tier II, and an advanced technical certificate in Cloud Computing.
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
