Texas Border Business
Industries thrive when they have a large talent pool from which to draw, highlighting the growing need for individuals skilled in a certain trade. However, not only the industries benefit from this need, but also the individuals who rise to the occasion to seek out and complete specialized training often find themselves on successful career pathways not long after obtaining their certification. Such is the case for Gael Garcia, who challenged himself by enrolling in Texas Southmost College’s Pipefitting program in search of a career – a decision that was the start of a series of incredible events.
Like many high school students, Gael Garcia had contemplated the many different types of careers he could pursue after graduating from Porter Early College High School. “I had many different careers in mind,” recalled Garcia, “but as I grew older, things started to change, and I noticed that I lost interest and passion for a lot of the ones I had considered.”
It’s not unusual for many to change their minds, but rather than leave it at that, Garcia decided to take a more pragmatic approach to which future opportunities would provide him the best return on investment.
“I started researching different types of industry crafts and the pay rates, and I decided to go to TSC and ask for more information on the technical career courses they offer.”
It wasn’t long after that before Garcia committed to this new educational endeavor, signing up for a Forklift Operator course. Upon completion of the course, Garcia was still eager to continue adding to his new skill set, signing up for the Structural Welding course shortly after. This course not only helped to further strengthen the foundation that he had already built before – it was critical in teaching him the skills which would set him on the path to his career.
“I learned different welding styles like shielded metal welding, flux core welding, and metal inert gas,” Garcia said. “I also developed my skills with the specialized tools of the trade and learned how to properly use and respect the tool as the job progresses.”
His hard work paid off, and Garcia landed a job as a scaffold builder, though he saw it as both a job and a foot in the door to the industry, considering his career growth as a key long-term goal. When the time was right, he knew what his next move would be.
“I wanted to do more and get paid more,” said Garcia. “With the knowledge and skills I had already developed, I returned to TSC and enrolled in the Pipefitting course.
Armed with his cumulative knowledge and experience, Garcia found the course to be as informative as it was enjoyable. “I was already ahead in some aspects since I knew how to weld with multiple processes, how to use a torch to cut through material, and other necessary skills,” said Garcia, “but Pipefitting is such a disciplined craft in the way that a tiny mistake or wrong measurement can mess up a whole pipe, but I see it as a challenge to do the job right and be precise every step of the way.”
With the guidance of his instructors, Garcia diligently applied his accumulated skills and knowledge to successfully complete the Pipefitting course and earn his certification. Shortly after completing the course, he secured a job as a pipefitter with Bechtel Engineering and Construction Company, and he has even had the opportunity to do contract work for a SpaceX recovery project.
While his hard work is the primary factor in his success, Garcia quickly acknowledges TSC’s role in his educational journey, especially the instructors he studied under.
“Mr. Anthony Medina from the Forklift program, Mr. Zapata and Mr. Perez from the Welding courses, and my Pipefitting instructors – Mr. Rivera, Mr. Garcia, and Mr. Rivera – all go out of their way to make sure that their students grow as professionals and as people. They taught us to work hard and that with honesty, everything can pay off.”
Mr. Alan Rivera, a TSC Pipefitting instructor with over ten years of industrial construction experience, feels similarly, always ensuring that his students benefit from his guidance.
“As an instructor, I strive to provide my students with the tools and resources necessary for success in the workforce,” said Rivera. “However, these resources are only effective when combined with our students’ dedication and effort. Mr. Garcia consistently demonstrated an exceptional attitude throughout the course and worked diligently to complete it, earning the certifications and skills offered through the TSC Pipefitting Program.”
