Students spend the majority of their time in various labs gaining hands-on experience. Students work with image and memory systems, computer peripherals, communications, and many types of computer-related equipment. The cooperative program enables the student to gain valuable experience in the work place while enrolled in classes at the College. Students with the necessary skills and experience often gain employment as PC support technicians, network technicians, system or network integration technicians, or field service technicians. Graduates have filled these positions with many companies in Texas such as Advanced Micro Devices, Dell Computers, National Instruments and Sematech, in Austin, Texas Instruments in Lubbock, Sherman, and Temple, E-Systems in Dallas, Texaco in Houston, and Fina Oil in Big Spring.
Graduates can earn rewarding salaries starting in the mid-twenties per year.
Students in the electronics-based programs must certify that they have attained basic core competencies by passing a standardized, nationally recognized examination on skills and knowledge in the field. This exam is referred to as the CET Test. Students are responsible for the cost of this exam. No students in an associate degree program requiring the Electronics Core courses will be issued an associate degree until they have passed the CET Test. TSTC technical programs will require that students undergo a capstone experience before graduation.