Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College Computer Information Technology (CIT) alumnus Enrique Jorge recalls how being at a crossroads in life at a young age enabled him to turn a major setback into a brand-new opportunity.
After being laid off from his previous job as an emergency medical services dispatcher in 2012, Jorge, 24 at the time, said he was unsure of what came next.
But from layoff to leadership, Jorge’s journey to a new career through STC is a story about the power of resilience and the impact of education in transforming setbacks into steppingstones.
More than a decade later, Jorge said he is now pursuing a doctorate in Higher Education Administration at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) with aspirations for a role in leadership.
“I was pretty much forced to rethink everything,” Jorge said after his first career ended. “Thankfully technology has always been my passion. It came natural to me.”
The turning point led him to enroll at STC, where he began pursuing a certificate as a computer support specialist. After graduating in 2013, Jorge said he became the first in his family to channel what had long been an informal role as the “tech guy” everyone relied on.
Growing up, Jorge was the go-to support system for his mother, a longtime educator navigating the transition from paper gradebooks to digital platforms.
“When technology started becoming more integrated in education, I was her on-demand IT specialist at home,” Jorge said. “I helped her log into grading systems, formatting emails, fixing internet issues. I was always helping.”
After completing his certificate from STC, Jorge said he paused before pursuing his associate degree, citing difficulties in math as a challenge many students relate to. Years later, when STC adjusted requirements within its Computer and Information Technologies program, he seized the chance to finish what he started.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Technology (BAT-CIT) in 2020.
By then, Jorge said he was already building his career. He began working at UTRGV in 2016 as a Technology Support Specialist I and then promoted to Specialist II in 2019. He then moved into a supervisory role in 2023 with IT Service Management. He said he recently celebrated his 10th anniversary working for the university.
He credits STC faculty, particularly Computer and Advanced Technology faculty member George Garcia for encouraging him to continue advancing. He also credits the support of his wife Rosalva, who motivated him to strive for greatness in everything he strived for.
“I am thankful for a support system that always reminded me to never settle,” Jorge said. “Everyone around me, from faculty at STC to family members, have always pushed me to pursue more and continue on this extraordinary educational journey.”
The encouragement stuck.
Jorge completed an accelerated master’s degree in Higher Education Administration in 2023 at UTRGV, finishing in nine months as part of a university -supported cohort. The experience prepared him for leadership including understanding concepts in supervision, coaching, financial management and organizational strategy.
“At some point, I realized I didn’t just want to be a worker,” said Jorge, who is now pursuing his Ph.D. “I wanted to inspire change and do more for the departments I one day hope to lead.”
Looking back over the last 13 years, Jorge said the growth he has accomplished feels surreal. STC provided both an affordable pathway and gave him the confidence to move forward during a vulnerable time.
“My life has changed dramatically,” he said. “I’m always full speed ahead. Remembering where I came from, I can say with certainty that change is difficult…but if you never change, you are never going to get where you want to be. Don’t settle. Overachieve.”
For more information on STC’s Computer and Information Technologies program visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/computer-info-tech/.
