From Wind Energy to the World: TSTC Alumna Finds Opportunity Across the Globe

A Spark in Harlingen

For Monika Bodnar, a career in the electrical field began with a spark – and a willingness to follow wherever it led.

The Harlingen native earned a Wind Energy certificate of completion from Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus in 2022. Today, that foundation has taken her far beyond the Rio Grande Valley, where she is continuing her professional development through an apprenticeship as a remote maintenance engineer with German printing press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer in Dallas, Texas.

Her journey has included working inside a German manufacturing facility, learning from experienced technicians, traveling across the United States to troubleshoot sophisticated printing equipment, and developing the confidence to take on challenges far from home.

A New Beginning in Germany

Monika’s apprenticeship gave her an opportunity to experience the manufacturing process from the inside out.

She spent time at Koenig & Bauer’s facility in Germany, where printing presses are built from the ground up. Instead of simply learning about individual electrical components, she saw how those components came together to create a fully functioning machine.

“It was informative being in the factory where printing presses are being built from the ground up,” Monika said. “It helped me get a good overview of how our processes run and what’s actually involved in them.”

The transition to Germany was not easy for Monika.

Coming from Harlingen, Monika had to adjust to the country’s language, transportation system and workplace culture. Her first few weeks were among the most challenging as she learned to navigate buses, trains and trams, also called trolley cars, while working in an environment where English was not the primary language.

Koenig & Bauer helped ease that transition by providing a house and a guide who helped Monika and a colleague become familiar with their new surroundings.

Her experience became less about adapting and more about learning.

Learning from the Ground Up

Monika began her technical training learning the fundamentals of the electrical components used in Koenig & Bauer’s printing presses and reviewing safety practices.

Eventually, she transitioned into the factory and gained experience with the various types of press construction.

One of the highlights was working in the final assembly hall, where individual components came together to create a fully functional printing press. After assembly, the machines were tested before being disassembled and shipped to customers.

For Monika, seeing that process firsthand reinforced the value of learning by doing – something she experienced in the Wind Energy lab at TSTC.

Although her college training and printing press technology may seem like two different worlds, the electrical fundamentals she learned at TSTC provided an important foundation.

“TSTC gave me the basic skills of electricity, electrical troubleshooting and how to handle and be around electricity,” Monika said. “Applying that to the job was helpful because I knew the basics going in.”

From Apprentice to Technician

Monika’s experience did not remain confined to Germany.

Her apprenticeship with Koenig & Bauer has also given her opportunities to travel across the United States.

As a technician, she works on electrical and software issues involving the company’s printing presses. She also works remotely from her office, taking customer calls and accessing printing presses through her laptop to diagnose and resolve issues.

The job has allowed her to apply the electrical knowledge she gained at TSTC while adding new layers of technical expertise through Koenig & Bauer.

The printing industry, she discovered, is much larger than many people realize.

When Monika returned to TSTC as a Koenig & Bauer representative for the college’s spring 2026 Industry Job Fair, she spoke with current students about her experience and the opportunities that are available with the company.

Many students were surprised to learn how deeply printing is connected to everyday life.

“They were shocked to realize how prominent we are in this world,” Monika said.

Growth Measured in Confidence

For Matthias Naumann, Koenig & Bauer’s remote maintenance manager, Monika’s growth has been just as impressive as her technical development. Matthias said Monika has progressed from a reserved apprentice into a more confident professional who is willing to accept coaching and take on new responsibilities.

“Monika is a great worker and a fast learner,” Matthias said. “She has excelled through the apprenticeship program and needs to develop the additional skills to become a full-time remote maintenance engineer.”

For Monika, the progression represents more than a career path. It reflects how far she has come since leaving TSTC. She credits her time in Germany with teaching her independence and giving her the confidence to navigate unfamiliar situations.

“I learned how to survive on my own, do my own thing and not be scared to go out into public alone,” Monika said.

A Role Model for the Next Generation

Monika’s story also provides a strong example for women considering careers in renewable energy or other skilled technical fields.

While her path did not follow a straight line from wind energy to wind turbines. Instead, the electrical foundation she developed at TSTC opened a door into a completely different industry.

That versatility is one of the strengths of a technical education: Skills learned in one field can become the foundation for opportunities in another area.

Building the Next Chapter

Nearly four years after earning her certificate of completion from TSTC, Monika is still learning, building her skills and looking forward to what comes next. Regardless of where her career path takes her, she said TSTC gave her something more important than technical knowledge.

“TSTC gave me the building blocks to be confident enough to start my career,” Monika said. “I am confident with the education I received that I can end up anywhere I choose.”

For students now entering TSTC’s Wind Energy program at the Harlingen campus, Monika’s journey offers a powerful reminder: The first spark does not have to determine where the journey ends.