(HUTTO, Texas) – Austin Dacillo earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity at Texas State Technical College and then decided he wanted to pair the skills with something a little cooler.
“I like working with computers, but I like that HVAC is hands-on,” Dacillo said. “I can see an immediate result of my work, and I already see ways that I can use both sets of skills in a future career.”
Dacillo is in his second semester of the HVAC Technology program at TSTC’s Williamson County campus. He is one of six HVAC Technology students from the campus who were hired by the Texas Facilities Commission this spring.
“I work on boilers and chillers, mostly doing daily inspections to make sure things are running fine,” Dacillo said. “I’m 23 years old. I have health insurance and a 401(k). I get paid on salary with opportunities to make more as I take on more roles too.”
Jayme Palady, an HVAC Technology instructor at TSTC’s Williamson County campus, said Dacillo’s cybersecurity background gives him an advantage.
“Building automation in HVAC is a great position for someone like Austin,” Palady said. “Those positions are computer intensive and can pay six figures.”
Dacillo said merging his skills to get into building automation is a goal he is considering.
“My supervisor is already talking to me about getting into the controls and building automation part of the department,” he said. “That would grow my skills, give me more experience, and I would get a raise if I moved.”
In Texas, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn an average annual salary of $50,190, according to onetonline.org, which forecast the number of such positions to grow 21% in the state from 2020 to 2030.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and certificates of completion in HVAC Technology at its Abilene (beginning fall 2025), Fort Bend County, Harlingen, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses.
Registration for TSTC’s summer and fall semesters is underway. To learn more, visit tstc.edu.
