Pacheco finds career pathway after touring TSTC

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Ricardo Pacheco found a passion for electronics and electricity after touring Texas State Technical College.

With one semester left in the Electromechanical Technology program, Pacheco said he made the right decision to attend TSTC. 

“I came for a tour of the Wind Energy Technology program and told (instructor) Billie (Jones) what I was interested in,” he said. “She said that wind was not for me and showed me the Electromechanical Technology program, and I liked it. I knew this was the program I wanted to study.”

Instructor Russell Benson sees a promising career for Pacheco, who is studying to receive a certificate of completion.

“I have told him about the things I have done in the oil field. I can see him out there working because he likes to acquire knowledge,” Benson said. “He would be a perfect fit in that area.”

Pacheco said that could be in his future plans after he graduates in December.

“I would love to do the electrical work and gain some experience,” he said. “I can work my way up to other positions by showing people I am able to do the job.”

Pacheco likes to learn as much as he can from the instructors for one important reason.

“They have all been out there in the field and have seen it all,” he said. “They tell us how things will go so we will be ready to work.”

Benson said the final semester for Pacheco and his classmates will be the most difficult because it prepares them for the field.

“We give them the machine and the book and tell them, ‘Here you go,’” he said. “This will be a challenging semester for them.”

Pacheco is ready to accept the challenge.

“We have been getting into all of the things we need to know for the final semester,” he said. “There will be a lot of troubleshooting projects on equipment. I am looking forward to meeting the challenge.”

Pacheco did not have plans to attend college after graduating from Olney High School. But he remembered receiving a flyer from a classmate detailing the various programs at TSTC.

“I am glad I made the decision to come to (TSTC),” he said.

Pacheco knows the field he selected will always provide him with a learning experience and a career. According to onetonline.org, the need in Texas for electromechanical and mechatronic technologists and technicians will increase by 13% by 2028. The website states that the median salary for a technician in Texas is $52,010.

In addition to the certificate, TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electromechanical Technology. Both are available exclusively at the Sweetwater campus.

Registration for the fall semester is underway. Scholarships are available. For more information, visit tstc.edu.