Texas Border Business
By Selene Rodriguez
After more than a decade of missing birthdays, milestones and everyday moments with his son, South Texas College alumnus Arturo Zarazua made the life-changing decision to return to school and pursue a high-demand, high-paying career.
Now a proud graduate of STC’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) program, the 32-year-old is one step closer to his new dream of running his own business and a life, right at home.
“My son is 13 now, and out of all those years, I probably spent less than half with him,” he shared. “Working away on the pipelines and in refineries, life just moved fast. There were times I wouldn’t come home for a month, even a month and a half. But now, I get to be home, build a future and start a business that keeps me close to him.”
Born and raised in La Grulla, Zarazua grew up in a construction family, spending summer and winter breaks helping his father build and remodel homes.
After graduating from Rio Grande City High School in 2011, he set his sights on a career in Architectural and Engineering Design Technology and enrolled in classes at STC’s Starr County campus.
“I’ve always been a hands-on person, so I aimed for architecture because of everything I already knew from construction,” he said. “But life had other plans. When I became a father, my focus shifted to providing for my son and ensuring he had everything he needed. Shortly after he was born in 2012, I took off to work the pipelines.”
Last year, when he looked back and realized how much his son had grown and how much he had missed, he made the bold choice to restart his life and career, while adding new skills to his construction background.
“The plan was always to come back home, but time just moved so fast. Life moves fast,” he said. “One of my cousins had been in HVAC-R for years and he was the one who told me I could do the program right here in Rio Grande City. Back in my day, you had to travel out of town, so the timing was perfect.”
STC’s Starr County campus recently expanded its facilities, including the HVAC-R program, which now allows students to complete up to an associate degree close to home, a key factor for Zarazua.
Just under a year ago, he returned to the Rio Grande Valley and rejoined his father in the remodeling business while attending classes twice a week, ultimately earning an HVAC-R Technology certificate last spring.
“When people hear HVAC-R, they usually think it’s just about fixing air conditioners,” he explained. “But it’s so much more than that, you also work with ice makers, walk-in freezers, like the ones you see at meat markets, gas and electric heaters, even a bit of woodworking for building bases. Plus, you gain basic electrical knowledge, since all the units run on electricity. It really gives you a wide range of skills.”
Since graduating, Zarazua has been putting his skills to work, taking on HVAC projects for friends and family, gaining hands-on experience and laying the groundwork for his long-term goal – launching his own business and becoming his own boss.
“HVAC is an industry that’s growing fast. It’s everywhere. Almost every home has some type of A/C system, it’s a necessity now,” he said. “What I love most is that this career gives you options. You can join a company, or you can do your own thing. You can be your own boss, set your own schedule and that’s exactly what I’m working toward.”
Faculty member Jose Garza, an STC alumnus who once had to travel back and forth from McAllen to Rio Grande City to pursue a future in HVAC, said Zarazua’s journey is one of many examples of the lives being transformed now that STC has expanded its services to create more opportunities close to home.
“For our community, this isn’t just a program, it’s a pathway to a better future,” Garza said. “With hands-on training and certifications and associate degrees now available right here at home, we’re building careers and changing lives in Starr County, just like Arturo’s. He took a risk, bet on himself and finished what he started. Now he has everything it takes to succeed and hopefully, his story will inspire others to do the same.”
Looking ahead, Zarazua is focused on gaining more experience, growing his network and eventually launching his business, one rooted in both skill and family.
“I’m really grateful to STC for making everything accessible. They provided everything we needed and I’ve seen how much they continue to improve,” he said. “It’s never too late to learn, I’ve lived that. If you had asked me four years ago, I never would have imagined myself back in school, let alone graduating. But here I am. I would advise others that it’s never too late to learn. I know that now.”
For more information on STC’s HVAC-R program, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/hvacr/ or call 956-872-6258.
Information source: STC
