(ROSENBERG, Texas) – After Brian Salinas graduated from high school, he started to search for a career — literally.
He learned about welding online, saw how close his home in Katy, Texas, was to Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County, and decided to go for it.
“It looked nice from the website,” he said.
It was the right decision.
Salinas discovered a passion for the craft during his time in TSTC’s Welding Technology program. He expects to graduate this semester with an Associate of Applied Science degree.
How has your experience with the Welding Technology program been?
It’s really cool. I love it. I’ve learned a lot of stuff. The environment feels professional, and all the equipment they have there is nice. I didn’t think I was going to enjoy welding, but I love it.
Do you have a favorite memory or moment from your training?
When you start welding, you start off really bad. But there was this one moment that it just kind of clicks and you start getting better, noticing your mistakes. You fix it. Just a sudden click — like, “Oh, I get how this works.”
What are your plans after earning your degree?
I’m going to try to find a job, any job, and just get experience. It doesn’t matter what my first job is as long as it can get me the experience I need so I can move on to stuff I want to do.
What would your dream welding job be?
I would really like to be a welder for SpaceX or NASA. I want to see all that rocket stuff.
Would you recommend the program to prospective students?
Yes, definitely. For me personally, I kind of just went into welding without knowing anything. I chose it randomly. It turned out great. I thought it was going to be like working in an office, but no — I found a new lifestyle.
In Texas, welders can earn an average annual salary of $45,250, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which projects that the number of welding jobs in the state will grow 13% through 2028.
The Welding Technology program is part of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee: If graduates do not find a job within the industry in six months after earning their degree, the college will refund their tuition.
Learn more about TSTC at tstc.edu.
