Valient Rodriguez is a Mechatronics Technology student at TSTC’s Harlingen campus.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When Texas State Technical College student Valient Rodriguez was in high school, the thought of going to college did not interest him.

But his mindset began to change when his uncle showed him some welding techniques and how to work on electrical and mechanical components on automobiles. Eventually his uncle encouraged him to pursue a college degree in mechatronics, a versatile branch of engineering whose name is derived from a combination of “mechanics” and “electronics.”

“Before my uncle retired as a high school teacher, his students took a tour of the Mechatronics Technology program at TSTC,” he said. “My uncle was impressed with the instructors and the equipment he saw. He suggested I enroll.”

Now Rodriguez is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in the program, which TSTC offers exclusively at the Harlingen campus.

2R7A2259 300x200 - Uncle’s advice sparks TSTC student’s journey into Mechatronics Technology program

“In the lab, the instructors let us figure out an assignment on our own,” the Brownsville resident said. “After we finish it, they tell us what can be improved.”

Mario Castillo is one of Rodriguez’s instructors.

“An assignment that Valient recently did was to design and build a fully automated sorting system,” he said. “The system would incorporate sensors, actuators, a conveyor belt and a control system to sort items in real time. In the workplace, Valient may face similar challenges while working on automation systems, robotics, or manufacturing processes.”

Rodriguez said his education at TSTC is preparing him for interviews with prospective employers.

“I look forward to explaining how I can make an impact based on my skills, knowledge and confidence,” he said.

According to onetonline.org, electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians earn an average of $64,220 a year in Texas. The website projected that there would be a 14% increase in the number of such jobs in the state from 2020 to 2030.

To learn more about TSTC’s Mechatronics Technology program, go to tstc.edu/mechatronics.

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