Two Paths, One Program: Siblings find their calling in Diesel Equipment

Siblings Giovani Rodriguez and Yaritza Vazquez have a lot in common. Both graduated from high school in three years or less, both hope to become first-generation college graduates, and both are studying Diesel Equipment Technology at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus. But the paths that brought them there looked very different.

A Mentor Opens the Door

The grease and grime of working under the hood never bothered Giovani. He always knew he belonged in the mechanical field. His journey began in the automotive program at his high school in Cleburne, where his interest in engines quickly stood out.

Inspired by Yaritza’s ability to graduate from high school in just two years, Giovani set out to follow her example and earn his diploma early. His determination—combined with his talent for automotive maintenance—caught the attention of his instructor, who became invested in helping him take the next step.

“He gave me a list of people he was connected with,” Giovani said. “He had people working in heavy equipment, general mechanics, and people that work with machinery and airplane equipment. I was more drawn to the heavy equipment area.”

Giovani said his teacher even drove him to Fort Worth to meet with employers at RDO Equipment Co., a John Deere dealer. With his instructor’s recommendation, Giovani secured an internship with the company after graduating from high school in just three years.

But to continue working there, he was told he would need one more thing: a college education.

For Giovani, one of the biggest factors in choosing a college was affordability.

“That’s how I ended up at TSTC,” he said.

From the Family Garage to the Diesel Lab

Like Giovani, he and Yaritza’s father learned how to repair cars in school. Yaritza said cold weather often motivated him to teach her about cars anyway—despite the frozen fingers and numb noses they would end up with. If he had his way, his daughter would be just as prepared for roadside emergencies as her brother.

“He would always be like, ‘Come look how I do an oil change. Look how I change a tire. One day you’re going to need it, and I’m not always going to be here,’” Yaritza said. “I enjoyed those things, but I never really pursued it because I thought it was a boy’s career. My parents never told me that, but other family members—uncles and aunts—would push me away from that road.”

She never could have guessed how useful those lessons would become.

By high school, Yaritza struggled to decide on a career path. Her extended family encouraged her to pursue nursing, but she didn’t feel drawn to the medical field. Criminal justice appealed to her more, but that didn’t stick either. Welding nearly became her choice after she toured TSTC’s North Texas campus with Giovani and her parents. But it was the Diesel Equipment instructors’ passion for their work that brought her back to those happy memories with her father.

“I got so convinced when they were talking about Diesel Equipment with so much passion,” she said. “That same day, I decided I wanted to go for Diesel too.”

Making a Pit Stop at TSTC

The Diesel Equipment program has proven to be a strong fit for the siblings, both of whom describe themselves as hands-on learners. They may have the occasional disagreement—they are siblings, after all—but more often than not, they work well together.

Giovani said the electrical portion of the program has been challenging for both of them, but their instructor takes the time to walk them through the process step by step. Giovani also benefits from working alongside experienced technicians at RDO Equipment Co., where his coworkers are always willing to help.

“I’ve been asking questions about the electrical side over there at work, and they’ve been able to simplify it a little bit more for me to understand,” Giovani said.

While Yaritza doesn’t have the same work experience as her brother, she said Giovani has become a mentor to her in the program.

“I might be older than him, but I’m learning from him, and that’s what makes me proud,” she said.

What Lies Down the Road?

Giovani and Yaritza recently completed their first semester at TSTC and are both working toward associate degrees in Diesel Equipment Technology. But from there, their paths will begin to diverge once again.

Giovani’s plans to pursue mechanical engineering began long before he enrolled at TSTC. He had originally intended to earn a bachelor’s degree at another college, which was one of the reasons he graduated from high school early. Even after completing his time at TSTC, his long-term goal remains the same.

“For my future, it’s being able to work a little bit off the heavy equipment side and keep working for RDO for a while,” Giovani said. “Then I want to get back to school and try to earn my mechanical engineering degree, like I’ve always wanted.”

Yaritza also plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, but first she hopes to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years.

“I want to join the Marine Corps to make my parents proud, honor their sacrifices, and serve this country by protecting people and keeping them safe,” Yaritza said. “I aim to excel, earn the highest ranks, and be known for my strong work ethic, leadership, and dedication to making a difference.”

The siblings are proud of their accomplishments—and proud of each other.

“We help each other, and I love that we’re both in the same classes at the same time,” Yaritza said.