Kevin McLaughlin grew up in DeBerry in Panola County and graduated in 2019 from Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Marshall with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Process Operations Technology.
He works at Plastipak Packaging Inc. in Garland, where he is a production supervisor overseeing the day-to-day operations of production lines. He lives In Rowlett.
What inspired you to study Process Operations Technology at TSTC?
When talking to TSTC’s counselors and instructors, I realized that this profession has so many available jobs with added security due to making daily products used by everyone.
How did TSTC prepare you to enter your career field?
TSTC prepared me with the capabilities to troubleshoot simple and complex systems, along with working on any issue that may arise. The Process Operations Technology program also assured that every day we understood that safety and quality are top priorities, which are the core components within this field.
What motivates you to wake up each morning and go to work?
I take pride in being able to see the products we make be used to supplement the needs and wants of consumers on a day-to-day basis.
What is a typical workday like for you?
My day-to-day work consists of checking the quality of our product every hour, being proactive by taking the time to ensure that we are performing preventive maintenance or cleaning all of our equipment, and reacting when our equipment fails by troubleshooting and working on the issues if it is within my capabilities, which all takes place within the on-site plant.
Why is Process Operations Technology a good field for students to pursue?
Process operations can be more than just a job if you have the dedication and hard work to make your dream a reality. Within my short time of a year, I went from a production technician to supervisor and working even higher up with the great resources and people helping to make that a reality. If that does not catch your attention, most places I have seen offer some sort of retirement plan, medical and life benefits, and good pay.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop, first-line supervisors of production and operating workers in Texas make a yearly mean salary of more than $64,000. Jobs are centered in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio areas. The agency has predicted that more than 13,200 workers will be needed by 2028.
Registration continues for the fall semester. Scholarships are available. Visit www.tstc.edu.
About TSTC: With 10 campuses across the state, Texas State Technical College helps to strengthen the Texas workforce with highly-skilled, technically competent graduates. Operating on a unique funding model based on student employment outcomes, the college celebrated 55 years of service to the state of Texas in 2020. For more information, visit tstc.edu.