(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Elijah Aguilar is carrying on a family legacy while building a stable future for his children through the Biomedical Equipment program at Texas State Technical College.
Aguilar’s father, Alex Aguilar, a graduate of the same program, demonstrated, through his commitment to troubleshooting and maintaining medical devices, that there is a demand for skilled technicians.
“My children are my inspiration, and I want them to have a great life as they grow up,” Elijah Aguilar said. “My father has worked in this field since I was a teenager. It’s a rewarding career. We had a meaningful conversation about my career goals. Since I already have some knowledge of the field, (he) suggested I enroll in the program.”
Aguilar, who is studying for an associate degree, said he learned a valuable lesson during his first semester that has benefited him at home.
“I did not know anything about a direct current circuit until I took the DC Circuits course,” he said. “The skills I learned helped me fix a faulty wire issue in my doorbell at home.”
The Harlingen native said his instructors create an encouraging learning environment.
“They are available whenever we need them, and have helped me understand complex topics,” he said. “The instructors do an excellent job of teaching us the fundamentals. It has helped strengthen my problem-solving skills.”
Aguilar said his father has offered him guidance while he trains for his career.
“My dad said the safest approach when repairing medical equipment is to recommend replacing a device that cannot be fixed,” he said. “Occasionally, (he) sends me photos of the equipment he’s working on that day to motivate me.”
David Sanchez, a program instructor, said Aguilar has shown significant growth.
“Elijah’s documentation practices and attention to detail have improved, and now he has a clearer understanding of how biomedical principles directly impact patient safety and regulatory compliance,” Sanchez said.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Biomedical Equipment at its Harlingen and Waco campuses, as well as an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Imaging Systems Technology Specialization at the Waco campus.
For more information, go to tstc.edu.