Houston City College Southwest

David Temple knows that every new skill adds another tool to his toolbox. After starting at HCC as a machinist apprentice, completing 6,000 hours of on-the-job training during the pandemic and launching a career in the skilled trades, he's back on campus to keep building toward his goal of becoming a mechanical engineer.

Q: What does success look like to you right now?
A: Right now, success is finishing my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and continuing to build my skills in the field. I started at HCC as a machinist apprentice in the Continuing Education program. HCC supported me every step of the way and connected me with a great employer who encouraged me to pursue engineering.

Q: What are some of your interests outside of school?
A: I've always liked learning how things work and figuring out how to fix them. Between my job, engineering and the trades, I enjoy working with my hands and learning new skills. I guess you could say I'm a little bit of a jack of all trades.

Q: Who inspires you the most?
A: The people who've supported me along the way have been a big inspiration. HCC believed in me from the beginning, and my employer encouraged me to keep chasing my goal of becoming a mechanical engineer. Having people who invest in you and want to see you succeed really motivates me to keep moving forward.

Q: What's something you're grateful for?
A: I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had through HCC. The education, the resources and the connections opened doors that helped me start my career. I'm thankful I can keep coming back, keep learning and keep adding new skills that will help me reach my long-term goals.

HCC Southwest is bringing practical business training directly to our community.
In partnership with the Bellaire Business Association, HCC’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Wells Fargo, the college's offering a free five-week Small Business Success Miniseries for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Five Fridays, Sept. 18–Oct. 16, 9 a.m.–noon at HCC West Loop Campus.

Each session focuses on a key area of business success:
• Entrepreneurship: Turn your ideas into a viable business.
• Business Planning: Build a clear roadmap for growth.
• Marketing: Reach the right customers and grow your brand.
• Finance: Understand the numbers that drive your business.
• Risk Management: Protect your business and prepare for challenges.
Complete all five sessions and earn a Certificate of Completion.
Space is limited. Register today to claim your spot: https://hcc.idloom.events/SOUTHSEPOCT

What does Houston need to be ready for an AI-driven future? That was the conversation at Preparing Houston for the AI Economy, held Aug. 4 in Downtown Houston in collaboration with Softway. Houston City College Southwest was proud to be part of the panel, with Dr. Joseph Fleishman, Associate Dean of the Digital & Information Technology Center of Excellence; Dr. G. Brown, AI Faculty; and Bobby Akinpelu, a current student in the AI and Robotics Bachelor of Applied Technology degree program, Class of 2027. Together, they shared perspectives on AI education, workforce needs, and the opportunities ahead for Houston. From our classrooms to the workforce, Houston City College Southwest is preparing students for what’s next.

Jennifer Tran is taking her future one step at a time. The HCC Southwest accounting student is balancing school, a part-time job and family support, all while working toward a career and a better life.

Q: What does success look like to you right now?
A: Right now, success means finishing college, finding a good job and building a good life for myself. I'm working hard in school because I know it will help me have more opportunities in the future. That's what I'm hoping for.

Q: What do you like to do when you're not studying?
A: I like hanging out with my friends and going to the movies. And honestly, I also like to sleep because school and work can keep me busy, so it's nice to have time to rest.

Q: Who inspires you the most?
A: My family, especially my mom and my sister. They always support me and want me to do well in school and in life. They always remind me to study hard, finish my homework and stay focused on my goals. They also tell me to take care of myself, get enough sleep and not stay up too late. Their support really helps me keep going.

Q: What are you most thankful for?
A: I'm thankful for my family, my health and God. I'm also thankful for my part-time job at a nail salon because it helps me while I'm in school. I'm happy I can keep working and studying at the same time.

For HCC Southwest biology student Mary Jane Ramirez, success isn't measured by a paycheck or a title. It's about doing work that makes her happy and gives her a sense of purpose. After growing up rescuing animals with her mom, she's now pursuing conservation biology and hopes to spend her career protecting endangered wildlife.

Q: What does success look like to you right now?
A: To me, success means doing something you're passionate about. I want to have a career that genuinely makes me happy and gives me a sense of purpose. If I can spend my life doing work I enjoy while making a positive difference, that's what matters most to me.

Q: What are some of your interests outside of school?
A: I enjoy art and I really like working with animals. In high school, I participated in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Show, and in FFA (Future Farmers of America) I showed a goat at the Houston Rodeo.

Q: Who inspires you the most?
A: My mom, Carla. I grew up helping her rescue dogs, cats and birds, so animals have always been a big part of my life. Helping them made me feel fulfilled, and I realized that's what I want to keep doing. Conservation biology gives me the chance to help protect endangered animals and do something that really matters to me.

Q: What are you most grateful for at this point in your journey?
A: I'm grateful for my family and my support system. They've always encouraged me to follow what makes me happy instead of what other people think success should be. Knowing they believe in me gives me the confidence to keep working toward my goals.