(ROSENBERG, Texas) – On a recent morning at Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County, TSTC Career Services associate Jamie Jimenez handed out booklets to a class of TSTC Industrial Systems students.
Along with the students, Jimenez paged through the highlights: a compilation of power verbs to beef up resumes, a list of possible interview questions accompanied by sample answers, and even a chart on what to wear to an interview.
“It’s not just coming from TSTC or Career Services,” she said, holding up a copy of the booklet. “It’s coming from the companies. We worked with industry partners to bring you this information.”
Like Jimenez’s presence in the class that morning — she was on hand to discuss resumes, interviews and soft skills, the booklet was just one resource that TSTC’s Career Services department offers students as part of the college’s mission to place more Texans in great-paying careers.
Jimenez and TSTC Career Services coordinator Judy Cox play instrumental roles in helping to connect students with what they need to prepare for lucrative and successful futures.
One of the newest tools is Hiration, available for TSTC students through the HireTSTC platform.
Hiration helps students build quality resumes through templates, guides and feedback.
“Hiration is compatible with LinkedIn, and it has AI (artificial intelligence) capability,” Cox said. “It’s a strong feature to help students have the best resume to get that interview.”
The feedback from students who have used Hiration has been positive.
“A lot of students start the resume-writing process by staring at a blank screen,” Jimenez said. “It’s very intimidating, we’ve noticed. Since we started Hiration, that intimidation level has dropped — especially when Judy and I walk them through it. Once it’s over, students are excited to see what they’ve created.”
Jimenez and Cox work closely with students to shape what they know from previous jobs and what they have learned at TSTC into highly marketable selling points on their resumes.
“Every skill you have is transferable,” Jimenez said.
TSTC graduates can also take advantage of these resources no matter where they are in their careers.
“They can call any TSTC Career Services office statewide and say, ‘I need help updating my resume and brushing up on my interview skills,’” Cox said. “It’s very powerful.”
Cox also focuses on bringing industry partners to the table through employer spotlight events and job fairs.
“We want to showcase our programs, our campus, and start building those relationships,” she said. “Spotlights are the students’ way to connect with industry, and vice versa. Students can ask questions, and there’s no pressure because it’s not an interview. Company recruiters will remember those relationships.”
A close relationship between industry partners and TSTC’s Career Services department is also key as companies strive to fill open positions.
“We want to help give companies what they need — and get our graduates in careers,” Cox said. “It’s really full circle. We love to see TSTC alumni return to hire TSTC students. Those are goosebumps moments.”
In the future, Jimenez and Cox plan to host more informal TSTC Career Services efforts, including on-the-go opportunities for students to swing by with questions, connect, and grab a snack or drink.
For now, they want students to take advantage of the resources they offer.
“We’re adaptable, and we can work with you,” Jimenez said. “We’re here to help. We’re here to make sure you succeed, and we’re here for the lifetime of your career.”
Registration for the fall semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.
