TSTC graduate drafts and designs a successful career

(MARSHALL, Texas) - Jeremy Fabinski was ahead of the curve when he enrolled in Texas State Technical College's Drafting and Design program.

"I took (drafting) in high school all four years," the Whitehouse native said. "I grew up in the construction world. My dad builds houses and remodels them."

At TSTC, Fabinski earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer-Aided Drafting. That degree has since been absorbed into Engineering and Graphics Design Technology and Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology.

Fabinski began drafting professionally before he graduated from TSTC, designing homes for contractors in Marshall and Longview and finding an internship with an architectural firm in Tyler.

He regularly collaborated with TSTC Drafting and Design instructor Brenda Murrell.

"Jeremy came here very knowledgeable in SolidWorks and was well liked, even helping other students," Murrell said. "There are students you hate to see go - he was one of those."

Fabinski graduated from TSTC in 2016, already having a job in Austin, thanks to TSTC's biannual industry job fairs.

Throughout his career, he faced numerous challenges - from the pandemic to a company ownership change - but he refused to back down.

"Don't give up when stuff gets hard, because I've been laid off twice," Fabinski said. "Make your best better."

Today Fabinski is a computer-aided drafting director for Mantis Innovation's roof consulting division in Irving. He is in the process of becoming a project manager.

"I feel TSTC provided me with my future," Fabinski said. "I tell people to go there all the time."

Danielle Simmons, a project manager at Mantis Innovation's Irving location, said Fabinski is popular with his fellow employees, even earning the nickname "J-Fab."

"His expansive knowledge of design, his ability to handle the complexities of client relations, his willingness to share his knowledge with his co-workers, and his positive never-say-no attitude make him an absolute joy to work with," Simmons said.

According to onetonline.org, architectural and civil drafters earn a median salary of $58,540 in Texas, where the number of these jobs was projected to grow 15% between 2020 and 2030.

Drafting and Design is available at TSTC's Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses. The program is also available online.

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

Fabinski designed this home for a local contractor in Marshall. The home has since been constructed in Jefferson. TSTC Drafting and Design instructor Brenda Murrell displays the design in her classroom. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)

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