Turner Industries mentorship program launches manufacturing careers

When Silvia Mendoza worked as a plant scaffolder, she respected the welders’ skills but noticed they did not always treat her as an equal. They saw her position as less than. 

“It didn’t make any sense to me,” Mendoza said. “Everyone is the same.” 

She decided to become a welder herself and encouraged her sister, Stephanie, to join her. Both sisters enrolled in San Jacinto College’s welding technology program at the Central Campus. 

Today, the Mendozas number among several San Jac graduates who turned technical training into full-time careers through Turner Industries’ Advanced Manufacturing Mentorship Program. Along with fellow graduates, they completed the program’s most recent cohort and were hired by Turner within the last year. 

Now in its third year in Houston, the program brings together students from area colleges for eight monthly sessions covering resume building, interview preparation, safety training, financial literacy, and more. 

From classroom to career 

Gael Castilleja enrolled at San Jac through the Promise @ San Jac Scholarship. Though he started just studying his basics, he quickly discovered welding and earned his associate degree in fall 2025. 

“I had no idea what I wanted to do at first,” he said. “San Jac was a great opportunity to get me started, especially with the help of my instructors.” 

After learning about Turner’s mentorship program, Castilleja signed up immediately. 

“I saw it as a great opportunity to get my foot in the door,” he said. “I wanted to show them who I was, not just as an employee but as a person.” 

After completing the program, Castilleja landed a position in Turner’s pipe fabrication shop, where he has worked for six months as a tacker and hopes to test into a welder position soon. 

“I want to learn as much as I can,” he said. “There are a lot of opportunities here to improve.” 

For Maria Reyes, the mentorship program bridged the gap between her education and her first career. Reyes will earn her associate degree in construction management this December. 

“Overall, my experience was really good at San Jac, and I had supportive and caring professors,” Reyes said.  

Now an engineer clerk at Turner, Reyes helps transform customer project drawings into detailed plans used by fabricators to build projects to specifications. 

She has worked at the company for eight months and plans to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in construction management. 

Forging a future 

Stephanie Mendoza never considered a welding career until her sister suggested it. 

“I really had to think about it because I wanted to be a dermatologist,” Stephanie said. “But I ended up loving it.” 

The sisters both earned associate degrees from San Jac before participating in Turner’s mentorship program. 

“I didn’t even know how to do a resume before the program,” Stephanie said. “I learned so much.” 

The Mendozas began their careers as tackers this February before testing to become certified welders. Stephanie passed her test on the first attempt. Silvia did not.

“I knew she would pass because she doesn’t make the same mistake twice,” Stephanie said. 

Silvia passed on her second attempt, and today, the sisters work in the same fabrication shop. 

“I love everything about it,” Stephanie said. “The people in the shop are really sweet and help us a lot.” 

Both sisters hope to continue growing in their careers, eventually buying their own welding rigs and starting a family business together. 

Building industry-ready graduates 

Since the program began, 57 San Jac students have completed Turner’s Advanced Manufacturing Mentorship Program, with seven hired by Turner in 2026. 

“The most rewarding part of watching students move through the program and begin their careers is seeing their growth, dedication, and successful transitions into professional roles,” Carla Thompson, Turner field training director, said. “It’s a testament to the mentorship program’s effectiveness — witnessing them move from student life to gaining employment and advancing in their skills.” 

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About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.