ABILENE Chris Wilcox’s decision to attend Texas State Technical College was based on several factors. But one stood out above the rest.
“I like the career placement opportunities TSTC can provide me,” the Welding Technology student said in a news release.
Wilcox is studying for a certificate of completion and looking forward to learning the different welding techniques from his instructors.
“I always wanted to go to school for welding,” Wilcox said. “I have been welding for six or seven years, and I knew that getting my certificate would lead to more opportunities.”
He has not been disappointed with what he has been able to accomplish in the TSTC lab.
“There is a lot more freedom than I expected,” he said. “I am learning on different machines and different techniques.”
The tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding technique is something that he began learning during his second semester.
“I had never done it before, and I think I picked it up naturally,” he said. “I know I am still going to have to practice to become better.”
Wilcox said having different instructors is also an advantage.
“All of the instructors mesh well together in the program,” he said. “They may teach their own style, but it works to help all of us.”
John Fuller, one of Wilcox’s current instructors, said experience helps the Devine native in the welding booth.
“When he is shown something, it is usually just once, and then he fine-tunes his welds,” Fuller said in the release.
With career opportunities becoming clearer with the help of the college’s Career Services department, Wilcox said he is leaving his options open.
“Hopefully I can get into something structural in a shipyard or in the oil and gas field,” he said. “If I keep working on my TIG techniques, maybe I can find a career in aerospace.”
Fuller does not see any path where Wilcox will not be successful.
“Chris is going to excel, no matter which area he enters,” he said.
According to onetonline.org, welders can earn a yearly median salary of more than $48,000 in Texas. Welding jobs were expected to increase 23% between 2020 and 2030 in the state, according to the website.
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.