(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Raymundo Pina has an ambitious goal to carry on the family legacy as an electrical lineworker by following in the career footsteps of his father, grandfather and uncle. But he aims to forge his own path through the Electrical Lineworker and Management program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus.
“Many of the guys my dad has hired at the utility company he works at have said TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker and Management program was the best experience they have had,” Pina said.
Pina, who is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in the program, said he had not considered becoming an electrical lineworker until about two years ago.
“My dad put up a pole at our home to see if any family members would take an interest,” he said. “I did after I climbed it a few times. That’s when I started thinking of it as a possible career.”
The Riviera native said he has already built a strong bond with his classmates.
“I remember seeing a sticker my dad has that says, ‘You are your brother’s keeper,” he said. “My classmates are going to be my brothers. I have to help and look out for them.”
Juan Zavala is one of Pina’s instructors at TSTC.
“It’s great to see students show a real urgency to make an impact,” Zavala said. “Raymundo has done that because he holds himself to a high standard. We’re excited to see how he continues to grow and become a skilled lineworker.”
Pina said that when he began his training at TSTC, his father gave him some important advice.
“My dad said this is a job you cannot be scared of,” he said. “If you feel any fear, it might not be the right career for you.”
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion in Electrical Lineworker and Management at its Abilene, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall and Waco campuses. The program is part of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee, which refunds a participating graduate’s tuition if he or she has not had a job offer in their field within six months after graduation.
For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.