TSTC graduate refuses to let medical condition keep him down

(MARSHALL, Texas) - Toby Toney's 21-year career in truck driving ended after he had a seizure.

"It's stated clearly: you have one seizure, you're done," Toney said. "They take your CDL (commercial driver's license) away. I basically lost everything overnight."

The Longview resident struggled with medical issues for almost a year and a half while trying to find stable work. Texas State Technical College helped him get back on his feet.

"TSTC became a family for me," Toney said.

Toney enrolled in the Precision Machining Technology program at TSTC's Marshall campus. Although initially lacking confidence, he received encouragement and assistance from his instructors and classmates that helped him earn a 4.0 grade-point average and his certificate of completion.

Toney now balances his job as a machinist at Valveworks USA in Kilgore with earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in Engineering Graphics and Design Technology from TSTC's Drafting and Design program.

Toney said his co-workers at Valveworks USA are as supportive as his TSTC classmates are. Juan Becerra, general manager of the company's Kilgore location, said Toney has an admirable work ethic.

"We're extremely satisfied with his performance," Becerra said.

Toney refuses to let his health issues impede his career progress.

"I set goals for myself, and they might be minimal to someone else, but for me, they drive me," he said. "I don't look at seizures as a disability. It's just something that happened to me. I can still get out there and work. It's just something I deal with and go about my business."

According to onetonline.org, CNC (computer numerical control) tool programmers earn a median salary of $62,160 in Texas, where the number of these jobs was projected to grow 47% between 2020 and 2030.

Precision Machining Technology is available at TSTC's East Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses. The program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and two certificates of completion.

Registration for TSTC's fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.

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