(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For three years, Zachary Alanis worked in the automotive industry, leading mechanics and working directly with customers as a service advisor.
“I’m a hands-on person, but I didn’t have the degree to become a mechanic,” Alanis said. “I worked as a service advisor at two automotive dealerships to stay connected to the mechanical side of the industry.”
During a flight from Colorado to the Rio Grande Valley, Alanis experienced a career-altering moment while looking out his window seat. That view inspired him to pursue a career in aviation maintenance.
Alanis requested a tour of Texas State Technical College’s aviation maintenance program.
“After I toured the classrooms, hangars, seeing the equipment and meeting the instructors, I knew it was the right fit,” he said. “I could tell they cared about their students. This career would give me control over the work I do, so I enrolled in the Aircraft Powerplant program.”
After completing his associate degree last year, Alanis became a Federal Aviation Administration-certificated powerplant mechanic. He is now in his final semester of the Aircraft Airframe program.
Carlos Rodriguez, the program’s lead instructor, said Alanis is a motivated student whose passion goes beyond what is expected of him.
“Zachary’s initiative and attention to detail make him highly marketable,” Rodriguez said. “He steps in to help instructors, supports classmates who need assistance and brings a mindset that will benefit any future aviation employers.”
Alanis said choosing aviation maintenance gave him purpose and a meaningful challenge.
“The program showed me my strengths, and I’ve grown and thrived every step of the way,” he said.
According to onetonline.org, aircraft mechanics and service technicians in Texas earn an average salary of $80,320 a year. The website projected that there will be a 14% increase in the number of such jobs in the state from 2022 to 2032.
TSTC offers Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates of completion in both Aircraft Airframe and Aircraft Powerplant at its Abilene, Harlingen and Waco campuses.
For more information, go to tstc.edu.v