Driving by TSTC piques interest of former cosmetology school student

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) - Driving by Texas State Technical College's Breckenridge campus caught the attention of MacKenzie Duvall.

Having recently moved to Texas from Washington state to be closer to her grandmother, Duvall said seeing TSTC was an inspiration.

"I was sitting one day getting my hair cut when the stylist told me I should go to cosmetology school. So I did," Duvall said. "Halfway through my first semester, I decided that it was not for me. I wanted to go back to my original career choice, which is welding."

That drive by TSTC with her boyfriend, Jack Galer, led to another decision.

"I told him that there is a technical school and it offers welding," Duvall said. "We are going to start classes together."

Duvall and Galer are in their first semester of TSTC's Welding Technology program and pleased with how they have been welcomed to campus.

"I tell Jack every Wednesday that we get to weld tomorrow," Duvall said of her attitude about studying at TSTC. "The instructors are great. Leroy (Brigman) is very helpful."

Duvall also credits Stephen Hope, the program team lead for Welding Technology, for their decision to enroll at TSTC.

"Stephen gave me a tour of the campus and had me completely convinced to start," she said. "This has been a great decision."

Duvall said she began taking welding classes in high school.

"My dad has the first plate that I have ever welded," she said. "From the point I picked up a torch, I have loved it."

Galer said he did not have much welding experience when he started studying for his certificate of completion. He likes the approach that the instructors bring to the program.

"It is a lot of trial and error for me - that is how I learn," Galer said. "I know the instructors will be there to help us."

Duvall said she uses one skill taught at cosmetology school in the welding lab.

"I am not going to stop a project until I have perfected it," she 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.

Welding Technology is one of nine programs at TSTC that have money-back guarantees. For more information, visit tstc.edu/mbg.

Registration for TSTC's spring semester is underway. To learn more, visit tstc.edu.

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