Texas Border Business
MCALLEN, TEXAS – When Jesus Angel Garcia first discovered a passion for cars as a teenager, he had no idea it would one day lead him into the service bays of a local, high-end luxury dealership.
But today, the South Texas College alumnus works as a certified maintenance technician at Bert Ogden BMW in Pharr, where he handles some of the most technologically advanced vehicles on the road.
Garcia, who goes by “Angel” in the shop, said his journey began in high school when a friend introduced him to automotive work as a hobby. What started as routine maintenance turned into a deep fascination with the industry.
“It quickly became more than just a hobby. I knew from that moment, that my path in life was to be a technician,” Garcia said. “After high school, I enrolled at STC and I graduated within a year because I took summer classes. I knew I wanted to get into the industry as fast as I could.”
After completing his Automotive Technology certificate, Garcia said he spent two years working at various jobs while waiting to meet the age requirements for dealership employment, which is 21. As soon as he could, he began submitting applications and quickly received a call from Bert Ogden’s BMW foreman offering him an opportunity.
Garcia said STC prepared him not just with technical skills, but with professional habits that shape his work every day.
“Don’t just tear everything apart,” he recalls learning. “To this day I remember those valuable lessons, ‘Always read your repair instructions first. Always verify the customer’s concerns.’ STC taught me how to properly diagnose electrical problems and how to approach issues step-by-step.”
That mindset is essential when working on high-end models such as BWM’s M-series vehicles, which he is familiar with from bumper to bumper. Every repair requires precision and patience, he said.
“Anything can be fixed as long as you follow the instructions, stay organized and perform the job properly,” Garcia said. “Some repairs may take longer, but once you finish, you can clock out and go home knowing you did something right.”
At the dealership, Garcia said he handles everything from simple electrical resets – such as reactivating a customer’s remote start feature – to more complex mechanical work. The experience has helped him build confidence and pride in his craft as he works toward earning his Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications.
For students considering a career in automotive work, Garcia offers straightforward advice rooted in discipline and self-belief. He hopes his journey shows future STC students that with dedication and patience, they can build meaningful careers in the automotive field.
“Persistence and practice – with those two things, you can do anything in any career, and not just in the automotive repair industry either,” he said. “Don’t ever doubt yourself. I know from my experience, everyone questions whether they belong in this industry at some point, but it’s normal. It’s a lot like life though, if something doesn’t go your way, fix it. Don’t beat yourself up too much, just always be prepared.”
