Carving Out a Future
By John Tompkins
After spending a decade working in a management and customer service setting, Ray Trigo decided that he needed to do something else. He was looking for a more hands-on role in an industrial environment.
Trigo found his new opportunity through the CNC program at Alvin Community College.
“I joined the CNC program after making the decision to step into a different career,” he said. “I liked that the program involved hands-on training and simulated what it would be like to work in a shop environment. We also toured different machine shops and got to see how they operate.”
CNC instructor Shawn Kalinec said that Trigo excelled in the program early.
“He learned the lessons quickly and always assisted the other students in their learning and completing their tasks, which are some good qualities to have when you enter the CNC shops.” Kalinec said.
The Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining program at ACC trains students in using equipment for constructing highly specialized parts for industrial use. CNC machinists operate mills and lathes, which are used to construct the parts.
The average annual wage for a machinist in Texas is $55,000 and the Houston region is one of the largest markets for CNC operators, according to the U.S. Labor Department.
Since completing the program, Trigo found a position working as a full-time machinist. “The knowledge and skills I gained from ACC have directly translated to working in the field,” he said. “I am thriving at work, and I’m grateful to enjoy my new career.”
Kalinec feels that his former student will continue to succeed as a machinist and leader because he’s always seeking opportunities to grow. “When he started in a machine shop, he would ask about how he could be better and improve his skills,” Kalinec said. “This shows me that Ray is always looking to improve and grow his skills, which usually means he will go far in the manufacturing industries.”
While Trigo has found opportunities in the machining field, he hasn’t planned to stop his educational journey. He wants to expand his training further to develop his skills.
“I plan on learning more about programming and design in the future,” Trigo said. “I want to be able to take an idea and make it into reality.”