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HARLINGEN — Recent Texas State Technical College graduate Aylin Garcia attributes watching her brother play racing car video games when she was young to her earning a certificate of completion in Automotive Technology at TSTC and getting a job as a service technician at Sames Auto Group in Harlingen.

“The customizations, modifications and the speed of the cars in the video games fascinated me,” she said. “When we were older, my brother worked on the family’s vehicles outside our home. I wanted to learn more about the repair work he did.”

Garcia acknowledged that the training she received at TSTC played a key role in her being hired at Sames Auto Group.

“I do tasks such as an oil change, a tire rotation, replacing spark plugs and other duties on automobiles,” she said of her job.

Fernando Rodriguez is an assistant service manager for Sames Auto Group.

“Aylin has a positive demeanor in her role and has expressed an interest to learn more about the automotive field,” he said.

Garcia said the work culture at the dealership is motivating.

“I like that the work environment is fast-paced,” she said. “I work with great people who are guiding me about how to improve my work performance.”

Eufemio Martinez was one of Garcia’s instructors at TSTC.

“Aylin actively questioned and thoroughly grasped her automotive hands-on assignments,” he said. “That sharpened her abilities, which helped her get hired at Sames Auto Group.”

Garcia said the instructors assigned interesting projects.

“That made my program experience enjoyable since I’m a hands-on learner,” she said.

She hopes to return soon to TSTC to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in the same program.

Registration continues for the spring semester at TSTC. To learn more, go to tstc.edu.