TSTC student achieves the American dream

(HUTTO, Texas) - After waiting 14 years to come to the U.S., the American dream is alive, well and within reach for Andrew Doan.

Doan is in his final semester in Texas State Technical College's Precision Machining Technology program at the East Williamson County campus in Hutto. He immigrated to Austin from Bien Hoa, Vietnam, in 2019 and worked in a restaurant before ending up at medical technology company Enovis, where he discovered machining.

"My aunt lives in Houston and was sponsoring me to come to the U.S.," he said. "It took a long time. I wish I would have been able to go to high school here, but I am happy to be here now and love Austin."

Doan said that when he first arrived in Texas, he had no idea what he wanted to do for a career.

"I thought I would work in restaurants forever," he said. "I got sick and ended up changing jobs to Enovis. They have a machine shop, and I just really liked it."

Doan looked for machining programs in the area and discovered TSTC's Precision Machining Technology program.

"I tried to enroll in classes last fall, but I missed the enrollment deadline and had to start in the spring," he said.

Enovis is helping Doan with his tuition.

"They give me $5,000 a year for education, and every little bit helps," he said.

Doan is happy at Enovis and feels he has a bright future with the company.

"When I finish my certificate this December, I'll be able to work in the machine section at Enovis," he said. "I'm excited to make that transition, and the position comes with a pay raise."

His graduation date and a possible raise Doan said are well timed to meet his family's needs.

"My wife is pregnant, and the due date is January 1," he said. "I have to finish this (degree) first because I won't have time to come back in the spring."

Doan encourages his family to pursue certifications as well.

"My cousin graduated from high school last year and hasn't figured out what he wants to do yet," he said. "I tell him to look at TSTC and see what he finds interesting."

Doan says he would like to finish his education in a couple of years after a pause.

"In one year, I'll have a lot of certificates: my citizenship certificate, education certificate, and my daughter's birth certificate," he said.

For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

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