(ROSENBERG, Texas) – A childhood passion for attending car shows with his mother is paying off for Texas State Technical College third-semester student, Alex Mayes.
The Auto Collision and Management student at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus is gaining hands-on experience as an express lube technician at Genesis of Southwest Houston.
“I have been working part-time for three months,” Mayes said. “I wanted to try working on a different side of the industry. I perform routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations and learn specialized procedures on luxury vehicles from experienced technicians.”
Mayes said learning to use the dealership’s diagnostic systems along with the equipment he uses at TSTC has enabled him to see how the automotive industry is evolving. He said he is excited to learn about the painting process.
Daniel Martinez, a shop foreman at Genesis of Southwest Houston, said Mayes began his job with an awareness of the fast-paced nature of the automotive field.
“His goal is to familiarize himself with every process that goes on at the dealership,” he said.
Mayes said his goal is to remain at the dealership.
“I plan to keep on working there because I enjoy the work environment,” he said.
Jose Jimenez, an instructor in the Auto Collision and Management program, said Mayes’ job in the transportation industry gives him an advantage.
“Alex is gaining real-world experience and learning important time management skills,” he said. “He will learn that every job in the industry has to be completed efficiently and correctly.”
The Houston native first discovered his interest in the trade during a two-year automotive program at the James Reece Career and Technical Center in Sugar Land.
According to onetonline.org, automotive body and related repairers in Texas earn an average of $51,700 a year. The website projected that there would be a 13% increase in the number of such jobs in the state from 2022 to 2032.
TSTC offers Associate of Applied Science degrees in Auto Collision and Management with refinishing and repair specializations at the Fort Bend County, Harlingen and Waco campuses. Several certificate options also are available.
Registration for the fall semester is now underway at TSTC. For more information, visit TSTC.edu.