Articles
HCC alumnus John Spear, Jr. enjoys second career success
Oct 9, 2025
After spending more than 20 years in the transportation industry, John Russell Spear, Jr., decided it was time for a new direction.
“I looked at several paths, and Houston City College offered the best opportunities,” he said.
John enrolled at HCC Northeast where, in May 2025, he earned an Associate of Applied Science in Instrumentation and Controls Engineering Technology.
What surprised him the most was the strong sense of support that extended beyond the classroom. As the spouse of an Air Force veteran, John turned to HCC’s Veteran & Military-Affiliated Student Success (VMASS) services for guidance and assistance.
“The staff helped me navigate VA educational benefits, certify my coursework and served as a go-to resource whenever I had questions about my benefits or available services,” he explained.
John credits the VMASS team for understanding the unique challenges veteran families face. During his time at HCC, he was also able to attend an eight-week intensive leadership program for veterans and their families at the Stafford campus called Impact a Hero.
“It was phenomenal and life changing. There are so many countless opportunities by attending HCC,” he shared. “I gained hands-on experience through an internship at Hunting Subsea Technologies where I was an assembly and test technician. Today, I am working at Alcon Pharmaceuticals.”
Spear says HCC didn’t just teach him new technical skills, it made a career change feel achievable. Additionally, he is thankful for his wife for her love, support and motivation throughout his new career journey.
When asked what kind of advice Spear would give to future students, he had this to say: “Take full advantage of the resources HCC provides. The professors, tutoring services and especially Veteran Services were a huge help. The staff truly cares and will guide you every step of the way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and explore different career paths until you find the one that’s right for you. Stay focused, stay consistent and remember, it’s never too late to start a second career.”
Interested in following John Spear, Jr.’s path? Learn more about HCC’s Instrumentation and Controls Engineering program at hccs.edu/instrumentation.
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