HARLINGEN — Texas State Specialized University student Ricardo Flores is in pursuit of an entrepreneurial goal: to establish an automotive restoration and modification shop.
The Harlingen resident is aligning that route through an schooling at TSTC’s Harlingen campus.
“I earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technological know-how from TSTC in 2021,” Flores stated. “Now I am pursuing a certification of completion in Structural Welding. Then I program to go after a certificate of completion in Sophisticated Pipe Specialization in the exact same program. It is essential for my business enterprise. In the past section, I will go after a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.”
Flores’ desire in the automotive sector was piqued via his mother, who is a previous vintage Mustang vehicle club member.
“(She) utilized to showcase her 2004 Mustang GT,” Flores stated. “That was my initially introduction into entrepreneurship and vintage motor vehicles.”
Flores’ company thought arrived to him during his next semester in the Automotive Technologies system.
“I have generally been that type of person to solve automotive challenges on my possess,” he mentioned. “I figured, why not find out almost everything I can and spruce up vehicles?”
The fabrication facet of the Welding Technological innovation plan was what enticed him to enroll in it.
“I delight in it because you have to make parts that do not exist,” he reported. “That is what I will require to do very long time period for my small business.”
Flores stated the skills that he has gained at TSTC will changeover perfectly to his long term business enterprise undertaking.
“I can resolve vehicle concerns via diagnostics,” he explained. “I can also accurate the wiring all over a auto. I can restore an previous engine to a brand-new capability. As for structural welding, I can establish frames for older automobiles.”
Raul Saldivar, a TSTC Welding instructor, stated Flores has the push to elevate his studying possible.
“I am amazed by his curiosity,” Saldivar said. “(He) attempts distinct methods to boost his welds and normally inquires for opinions.”
In accordance to onetonline.org, welders can earn a yearly median wage of additional than $47,000 in Texas. These employment are predicted to boost 13% by 2028 in the state, according to the website.
TSTC features Welding Technological know-how at every single of its 10 campuses positioned in the course of Texas.
Welding Engineering is one particular of 9 applications at TSTC that have money-back assures. The college’s motivation to welding students is very simple: If they do not have a career in their area within six months of graduation, they will acquire a full refund of their tuition. For a lot more information and facts on the Funds-Again Ensure method, check out https://www.tstc.edu/admissions/tuition/.
Registration for the drop semester is underway. For a lot more information and facts, take a look at tstc.edu.
