(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With the renewable energy industry growing, Ava Boisjoli and Karla Garcia recognized the opportunity to pursue a high-demand job that offered purpose and career growth.
That is why they chose the Wind Energy program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus.
Boisjoli was facing family and personal issues when she began school.
“A friend and her husband invited me to visit them in North Dakota,” Boisjoli said. “(She) mentioned that her husband’s job was a wind turbine technician. (He) explained his job duties and it caught my interest. I did an online search for renewable energy schools and discovered TSTC’s Wind Energy program.”
Garcia was encouraged by her husband to explore a career in renewable energy.
“My husband graduated from the program a few years ago,” she said. “(He) said I would enjoy the courses because they’re hands-on. That’s the kind of work I like to do.”
Boisjoli, who is working toward a certificate of completion, said the hands-on assignments have prepared her to handle a variety of challenges.
“In one course I learned the importance of reading schematics,” said the Harlingen native. “In another, I had to make sure certain lights were turned on by correctly connecting electrical wires.
Garcia, who is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree, said the program has helped her confidence.
“Each assignment has helped me become an independent thinker,” the Brownsville resident said.
Patrick Zoerner is one of the students’ instructors.
“Ava and Karla are determined students who go the extra mile because they look forward to becoming skilled technicians,” he said.
Boisjoli offered advice for women who are thinking about a career in renewable energy.
“They should go for it,” she said. “I believe this industry needs their voice, strength and ideas.”
According to onetonline.org, the need for wind turbine service technicians in Texas was forecast to increase 64% from 2022 to 2032. The average annual salary for a technician in the state is $61,790, according to the website.
TSTC’s Wind Energy program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion at the Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses.
For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.