Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – From student to employee, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) alum Diego Tijerina is a true success story of the district’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) program. Today, he works in the same district where his journey began, thanks to the hands-on training and industry certification he earned through PSJA’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) program.
“It all started when I was a sophomore in high school,” Tijerina recalls. “I was lost and didn’t know what to do about my future. That’s when I saw that the district had just started a new HVAC program, and I decided to give it a shot.”
With guidance from his counselor at PSJA Southwest Early College High School, he enrolled in the HVAC program through the PSJA Career & Technical Education Department. By the time he graduated, he had already earned his HVAC certification, giving him a head start in a field where skilled technicians are in high demand.
“One of the biggest influences on my educational journey was my HVAC teacher, Mr. Solis,” said Tijerina. “He really inspired me to keep going. Without his guidance and encouragement, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Through PSJA’s CTE program, he gained real-world experience, interning with the PSJA Maintenance Department, where he worked alongside industry professionals and learned the ins and outs of HVAC systems. That internship led him right back to PSJA ISD—not as a student, but as a full-time employee.
“The internship with PSJA maintenance was eye-opening. I worked with the same team I’m a part of today,” he shared. “It was during that one-week internship that I knew I wanted to work here. If it weren’t for PSJA and the opportunities they provided, I wouldn’t have my certification or this job.”
Now, as a PSJA ISD employee, Tijerina finds joy in working at the schools he once attended and giving back to the district that shaped him. His story highlights how PSJA ISD’s commitment to workforce readiness helps students turn their passions into lifelong careers.
“Diego’s journey shows the life-changing power of Career & Technical Education,” said PSJA ISD Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias. “At PSJA ISD, we take pride in offering students real-world opportunities that prepare them for high-demand careers. Diego’s success, from student to certified HVAC technician and now a valued PSJA ISD employee, is exactly why we invest in CTE programs. We are proud to equip our students with the skills, certifications, and confidence they need to thrive in today’s workforce.”
With HVAC technicians earning a median salary of $60,000-$80,000 and demand for skilled professionals projected to grow 6% by 2032, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, students at PSJA ISD have a unique opportunity to enter this high-paying field straight out of high school. Any PSJA ISD student interested in pursuing HVAC certification can speak with their counselor to sign up for courses and start their journey today.
PSJA ISD, an open-enrollment district serving over 30,000 students, welcomes students from anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley. Parents interested in learning more about PSJA’s Career & Technical Education programs can visit www.psjaisd.us/earlycollegeprogram.
