(MARSHALL, Texas) – Though Jacob Galvan is known as a hard worker, his time at United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) made him realize he did not want a job that required so much physical labor.
Thanks to Texas State Technical College, he is now channeling that same work ethic as a field service technician at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center’s Longview location.
“It’s not only labor, it’s putting my mind to work,” Galvan said. “(It is) a job where I can be stable on my own eventually; I can grow in it. I think that’s the greatest accomplishment that I can enjoy.”
Galvan enrolled in TSTC’s Cybersecurity program to pursue his interest in computers. One of his favorite things was the college’s performance-based education system which allowed him to continue working for UPS until he graduated.
“Even though you’re working at your own pace, the teachers are there to help you on and off the clock,” Galvan said.
Amy Hertel, the Cybersecurity instructor for TSTC’s Marshall campus, said Galvan brought a lot of positivity and academic strength to the program.
“He frequently sought to understand how technical concepts apply in the real world, grounding theory in practical relevance,” she said. “That curiosity, paired with a strong work ethic, makes him well suited for a meaningful and impactful career in the IT (information technology) healthcare field.”
In his second semester at TSTC, Hertel encouraged Galvan to compete in Information Technology Services at the 2024 SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference. Galvan said the competition was a great experience, and not just because he took home a silver medal.
“That encouragement definitely made me feel that my work wouldn’t go unnoticed,” he said.
Galvan received his Associate of Applied Science degree from TSTC in May 2025 and found his position at CHRISTUS with help from Hertel. Galvan said the experience he is gaining from the medical center and the work he is doing to build a stable life for himself is its own reward.
“I’m enjoying it now and I can enjoy it the rest of my life, as long as I keep putting in the effort,” he said.
Cybersecurity is available at TSTC’s Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses, as well as online. The program offers an associate degree, two certificates of completion, and an advanced technical certificate in Digital Forensics Specialist.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.