Industry Job Fair connects TSTC students, alumni to potential employers

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – More than 300 Texas State Technical College students and alumni, ready with their resumes and networking abilities to make an impression on business and industry representatives, filled the Industry Job Fair at TSTC’s Harlingen campus Thursday, April 7.

It was the first in-person job fair to be held on the campus since fall 2019.

Around 60 companies from across Texas and the United States provided information on job opportunities, benefits, and the qualifications they are seeking in potential candidates for employment.

“To be able to get this number of employers that are interested in TSTC talent in one room is amazing,” said Viviana Espinoza, director of Career Services at TSTC’s Harlingen campus.

Espinoza noticed the gleaming smiles and concentration of TSTC students as they demonstrated professionalism with the company representatives.

“The best part of these events is when TSTC students receive job offers,” she said. “It truly gives us gratification.”

Josh Erickson, ReTool public relations and engagement specialist for PMG Inc., said the company’s partnership with TSTC across its 10 campuses is their biggest and best-developed one.

“We find that TSTC students are committed to the trade they are learning,” he said. “A continuous-improvement mindset is an essential component to success for skilled tradespeople in modern manufacturing. We routinely meet TSTC students and alumni that recognize, embrace and reflect that.”

Juan Martinez, senior human resources business partner for American Electric Power in Pharr, said AEP currently has several partnerships with TSTC, as well as an internship program.

“The engagement by the students demonstrates their interest to begin a career with us,” he said. “Their skills and knowledge help us to learn how they can make us a better company.”

Victor Mejia, of Harlingen, is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in TSTC’s Building Construction Technology program at the Harlingen campus. The second-semester student said his goal at the job fair was accomplished through networking.

“I did an excellent job at building contacts,” he said. “My hope is that it will progress to a career after I graduate.”

Karyme Gomez, of San Benito, is scheduled to graduate with her Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechatronics Technology later this month.

She was very pleased with her experience at the job fair.

“I asked what the job entails, the company location, the earning potential, and what they do for employees who want to continue their education,” she said.

TSTC plans to have another Industry Job Fair for students and alumni this fall.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.