TSTC students benefit from part-time job fair

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – To help students at Texas State Technical College who want to work while attending school, the TSTC Career Services department recently held a part-time job fair on the Harlingen campus to connect students with potential employers.

AutoZone, Dollar Tree, Eco Renewable Solutions, Express Employment Professionals, H&R Block, TSTC Human Resources, and Wing Barn provided part-time job information for students who participated.

Ashley Salinas, a TSTC Career Services representative, said the event’s purpose was to offer employment options for students who need part-time work while they attend TSTC.

“We had a great turnout,” Salinas said. “This was our first in-person part-time job fair in two years.”

Gilberto Ureta Leyva, a fourth-semester Mechatronics Technology student, said he learned about the job fair through an email from Career Services.

“I need a job to pay for additional items toward my education,” he said. “AutoZone piqued my interest because I have worked on my vehicle’s mechanical and electronic components. That is how I learned about TSTC’s Mechatronics Technology program. It teaches those areas and more.”

John Long, a third-semester Automotive Technology student, said his instructor informed him about the job fair.

“I spoke to Express Employment Professionals,” he said. “I asked if they could find a job for me in the automotive field or a regular job while I am in college.”

Miriam Mendez, lead employment specialist for the Express Employment Professionals Harlingen branch, said her company’s participation was important because its objective is to help individuals find jobs.

“I was giving out job information,” Mendez said. “If any TSTC student is interested, we can assist them at our location nearby.”

Nidia Benavidez, district manager for Dollar Tree in Harlingen, said her company looks for outgoing, service-minded potential employees.

“We are interested in friendly and energetic individuals that are willing to interact with the public,” she said. “Our company hires on the spot if that person is ready to work. We also provide training for individuals that are shy. It helps them to be efficient in customer service.”

TSTC will host another part-time job fair in the fall.

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