(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Julissa Villegas, a recent Texas State Technical College graduate, will never forget when her grandfather asked her to help him reupholster the interior of his automobile when she was a teenager.
“The reupholstery job was an exciting hands-on project,” Villegas said. “I did an online search for colleges that offered a program with something closely related to that project. My sister said that TSTC in Harlingen may have an Auto Collision (and Management Technology) program. The program’s associate degree with a repair specialization caught my interest.”
By her second semester in the program, Villegas grew confident in her repair skills, developed an efficient work ethic, and took some welding courses that sparked the idea of her opening her own auto body repair shop one day.
“I’m a fast learner and work well under pressure,” she said. “I feel those are some important qualities that can guide me to become a great boss and business owner.”
After graduating from TSTC’s Auto Collision and Management Technology – Repair Specialization program last December, Villegas returned to TSTC — this time to study welding.
“The welding instructors have taught how to do measurements, as well as cutting and grinding,” she said. “I have a better understanding of the work welders do.”
Raul Saldivar, one of Villegas’ welding instructors, said the program implements basic to advanced welding assignments for students to learn step-by-step.
“The hands-on training often simulates the types of challenges welders experience on real job sites, which requires Julissa to adapt to various situations,” he said.
Villegas said TSTC has shaped her career outlook.
“The skills I’ve gained have given me the assurance to accomplish anything I set my mind to,” she said.
According to onetonline.org, welders, cutters, solderers and brazers earn a yearly median salary of $48,500 in Texas. These jobs were expected to increase in the state by 23% between 2020 and 2030, according to the website.
TSTC offers Welding Technology at all 11 of its campuses across the state. An Associate of Applied Science degree and several certificates of completion are available, depending on campus location.
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.
To learn more about TSTC’s Welding Technology program, go to tstc.edu/welding.
