TSTC student seizes opportunity to start career

(NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas) - Michael Skufca came to Texas State Technical College's New Braunfels campus to save money on tuition, and in his first month he was able to set himself up to start his career while earning a certificate of completion in Structural Welding.

"I was going to go to (another college), but it was $20,000 for tuition and another $20,000 for living in Austin," Skufca said.

"My mom had a friend go to TSTC in Waco and found out the New Braunfels campus was getting welding and tuition was cheaper, so I came here."

Skufca is in his first semester at TSTC, and he already has a job with metal fabrication company United Alloy in Seguin.

"I met United Alloy during new student orientation, and they didn't have any openings yet," he said.

"I emailed them with my resume after that, and they called the first week of classes to let me test for a part-time job."

As part of the application process to go to work at United Alloy, Skufca had to pass a welding test. Afterward, the company allowed him to watch their evaluation of his work.

"I got to stay and watch the inspection process," he said.

"I had one super-small pinhole and passed. It was a great learning experience for me."

Skufca began welding as a high school student in New Braunfels. He said he got a late start in the program there but still got a lot out of the experience.

"The welding program in high school usually starts sophomore year, but I started junior year," he said.

"The program was really good. It gave room for creativity to build projects, and I got tolearn with students who competed in and won Texas FFA (National FFA Organization) competitions."

Scufka is looking to grow his skills at TSTC.

"The program in high school didn't really teach me MIG (metal inert gas) or TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding," he said.

"I'm excited to learn those, and it's great to actually be welding in class."

In the long run, Skufca sees himself as a business owner but has goals along the way.

"I'd like to open a business, like decorative fencing that I can cut and weld together," he said.

"That's a long-term goal. In the meantime, I'd like to be a fabricator getting experience."

Welding Technology is available at all 11 TSTC campuses. It is one of TSTC's Money-Back Guarantee programs. The college's commitment to participating students is simple: If they do not have a job in their field within six months of graduation, they will receive a full refund of their tuition. For more information, visit tstc.edu/mbg.

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

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