TSTC student finds outlet for passion through Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program

TSTC student finds outlet for passion through Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Connor Burke has a passion for the environment. When he earns his degree next summer in TSTC’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program, he will have an opportunity to protect the environment through the training he has received at the college.

How did you become interested in the Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program?

I actually started here in Electrical (Power and Controls) through somebody who recommended TSTC because a lot of people get hired out of this school. Electrical wasn’t working out for me, but I liked how the school was run with career services. I looked through their programs, and I felt I could excel in (Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance). I kind of have a passion for the environment, so it just ended up working out.

What has your experience been like in the program so far?

It’s great. What I like is that the teachers that I’ve had have been in the field. They offer a lot of valuable tidbits, what they did in the industry — and what they saw didn’t work. The biggest highlight of that program is the instructors I’ve had so far. I’ve enjoyed it.

What do you plan to do following graduation?

I haven’t fully decided. My degree opens up a wide range of possibilities for me. I could go to the environmental side; I could go into occupational safety. They’re different, but my degree allows me to do both. Right now, I’m leaning more toward the environmental side.

Would you recommend this program to prospective students?

Absolutely — 100%.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance.

Environmental engineering technologists and technicians can earn an average salary of $48,310 in Texas, according to onetonline.org. The website also projects growth of 22% for the number of positions in the state through 2028.

Texas is the state that employs the second-highest number of environmental engineering technologists and technicians in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Occupational health and safety technicians can earn $46,840 per year in Texas, according to onetonline.org, which adds that such positions are expected to grow statewide by 16% through 2028.

Texas employs the highest number of occupational health and safety technicians in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — and the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area is first among other metropolitan areas in the U.S. for the highest number of technicians.

Learn more about TSTC at tstc.edu.