TSTC student shifts path to technology

(HUTTO, Texas) - When Jacob Hosterman started college last spring at a traditional four-year university, he had goals of earning several higher education degrees. But after one semester, he realized that he cared more about job security instead.

"I was majoring in psychology with the idea of getting a Ph.D. in something specialized within that field eventually," he said. "I realized I was going to be working and paying to have a degree in a field that doesn't guarantee a job. I wanted to get a better head start on life."

Now Hosterman is in his first semester of Computer Networking and Systems Administration at Texas State College's East Williamson County campus in Hutto. He lives in Whitney and commutes two hours to campus when he attends labs.

"I live closer to Waco, but Waco's program was full," he said. "The Austin area has a wider variety of tech jobs than the Waco area too. I'm looking at moving closer, but apartment availability or moving into a camper takes time."

Hosterman considered waiting until the spring semester to start classes to give himself that time, but his family encouraged him to get started right away.

"When I went to college last spring, I had a lot of support and a lot of people invested in me," he said. "I talked to my uncle, and he encouraged me to start now, don't wait."

Hosterman enrolled at TSTC during the first week of fall classes. His program is taught in a performance-based education format, which is completed at the student's pace, and he wasted no time catching up with his peers. He is also looking at getting some industry experience while he is still in school.

"I've already applied to several places," he said. "I'm just waiting to hear back, and hopefully soon I'll have something in tech."

According to onetonline.org, network and computer systems administrators earn a median salary of $92,360 in Texas, where the number of these jobs was projected to grow 20% between 2020 and 2030.

Besides the East Williamson County and Waco campuses, Computer Networking and Systems Administration is available at TSTC's Abilene, Marshall and North Texas campuses. The program is also available online.

At TSTC, students can pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration, certificates of completion in IT Support Tier 1 and IT Support Tier II, and an advanced technical certificate in Cloud Computing.

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

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