Guy Watts juggles life, work and attending Texas State Technical College with the goal of opening his own welding business.

Watts, a U.S. Navy veteran studying Welding Technology, said that after leaving the military he had to decide the next step in his career. After touring TSTC’s Brownwood campus, the path became clear. “I was able to tour the lab during the spring, and I was impressed with the facility and the TSTC staff,” he said.

“I was able to visit with the instructor, and we got along well. I knew then that welding was something I wanted to do as a career.”

Watts’ immediate goal after earning his certificate of completion from TSTC is to work in the Brownwood area to hone his skills.

“I may start by working on some rigs, or I might become a traveling welder,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to own my own company.”

Salvador Marquez, the Welding Technology instructor at TSTC’s Brownwood campus, said Watts’ military experience shows in the welding lab and could help him to begin his own business.

“Guy is very disciplined with his work,” Marquez said. “He is a very quick learner. I only have to tell him something once, and he will summarize the information and get to work.”

Watts, of Coleman, said his time in the lab is a way to get away from his work. He is a high school basketball and football official, and he also works in the transportation industry.

“I have to juggle all of that with my family and school,” he said. “Having served in the military helps me remain disciplined with everything I have to do with school and work.”

According to onetonline.org, welders can earn a yearly median salary of more than $48,000 in Texas. Welding jobs were expected to increase 23% between 2020 and 2030 in the state, according to the website.

Welding Technology is one of nine programs at TSTC that have money-back guarantees. The college’s commitment to participating students is simple: If they do not have a job in their field within six months of graduation, then they will receive a full refund of their tuition. For more information on the Money-Back Guarantee program, visit tstc.edu/mbg.

Registration for the spring semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.