(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Recent Texas State Technical College graduate Mohamed Deyab’s journey to becoming an HVAC technician began not in a classroom, but in his own home.
After working across industries from construction to health care, he reached a turning point following a series of HVAC service visits at his home.
“After moving from Brooklyn, New York, to Harlingen and buying a home, I started noticing issues with the air conditioning unit,” he said. “Over time, I began to feel that the technicians who came out weren’t being completely honest with their diagnoses. I realized I needed to learn the trade myself because of my background in construction. That’s when I discovered TSTC offered an HVAC program.”
Deyab, who earned an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion in HVAC and was a Board of Regents scholar at TSTC, credited his instructors’ hands-on experience with helping him build a strong foundation in heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
“The best advice the instructors gave me was that you have to follow every step to become a good HVAC technician,” Deyab said.
Participating in SkillsUSA also played a role in Deyab’s professional development.
“I competed in the Sheet Metal category at the SkillsUSA state and national competitions in both 2024 and 2025,” he said. “It taught me the value of teamwork, and it helped improve my communication skills.”
Billy Weaver was one of Deyab’s instructors at TSTC.
“The HVAC program emphasizes soft skills such as professionalism, time management and problem-solving qualities,” he said. “Those skills helped Mohamed refine his skills, and he’s ready for the workforce.”
Deyab said the training that he received at TSTC prepared him well for his career.
“I have some interviews lined up for part-time work in the HVAC field,” he said. “I’ve worked as a respiratory therapist in the medical field because it’s my primary source of income. But my goal is to work part time as an HVAC technician and eventually become an independent contractor.”
In Texas, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn an average annual salary of $54,050, according to onetonline.org, which forecast the number of such workers to grow 17% in the state from 2022 to 2032.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and certificates of completion in HVAC at its Abilene, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.