Local grad climbs new heights

By GABRIEL CANTU
TSTC Communication Specialist
gabriel.cantu@tstc.edu

HARLINGEN—Restoring power caused by weather variables and other factors is a high-risk challenge, and it is a job that Texas State Technical College Electrical Lineworker, Management Technology alumnus and San Benito’s Luis Polanco is committed to.

The service that he provides as a lineman apprentice with the Brownsville Public Utilities Board gives him satisfaction.

“My job duty gives an enormous relief to communities and businesses,” he said. “I have been with the company for one year, and I love it. The work culture is engaging, and the camaraderie in my crew is amazing. I learn something new every day. My future goal is to become a certified lineman.”

Polanco graduated from the program with a certificate of completion in August 2021 before his career began.

His interest in the field was first sparked when severe winter weather impacted Texas two years ago.
“The electrical lineworkers worked hard to restore the lights and power where I lived,” he said. “Their diligence fascinated me.”

That event was the starting point that influenced Polanco’s decision to enroll at TSTC.

“I was looking for a new type of job,” he said. “My first choice was to study the Wind Energy Technology program because my uncle has experienced success in that industry,” he said. “Then I found out about the Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program when I performed an online search. The details of working outside, climbing a pole and working directly with electricity appealed to me.”

The San Benito resident credited his success to his instructors at TSTC.

“My instructors made the education interesting by explaining topics such as the transformer connections and replacing the crossarms,” he said. “There were times that (instructor) Candelario (Deanda) challenged us with pole competitions. Those are designed to condition our body. Other moments were at the end of the class. Many students stayed behind to talk to him about his work experience.”

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