But for the mechanical engineers tasked with solving some of the world’s toughest technological problems — from smartphones to submarines to rocket ships — it's as much about passion as it is about perspiration.

“You always have a different problem, so it’s a challenge,” says South Texas College alumnus Efrain Delgado, now a customer support DUV engineer II for ASML, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of computer-chip-making equipment.

ASML’s clients include Intel and Samsung, who make microchips that go into virtually everything — from robotic arms to the device you’re reading this article on. For the past three years, it has been the STC grad’s job to make sure the complex chip-making machines are running in top shape.

It’s a fast-paced job that entails analyzing data, troubleshooting problems, making repairs and performing upgrades. Delgado loves the focus on rigorous critical thinking, and looking back, he traces his passion for mechanical engineering to his start at South Texas College.

“My story is actually funny because when I was in high school, I wasn’t really a ‘school person,’” recalls Delgado, who took a four-month break before dipping his toe in at STC for one semester. Not yet convinced, he moved north to earn money in the oil fields, but realized that wasn’t the right path for him either.

He knew the answer to his future was back at South Texas College, so he retraced his steps. With the help of his advisors, an innovative plan began to emerge. He decided to pursue his passion for math and science through STC’s engineering program.

“That’s when I applied myself to school,” says Delgado. “It was the smart thing to go to a community college, then transfer to a university to save some money.”

The more he explored engineering, the more certain he became that it would be the foundation for his future. But with six distinct engineering tracks available through STC’s versatile program — civil, electrical, computer, chemical, petroleum, and mechanical — an important choice remained.

Citing its elegant combination of hard physics and open innovation, Delgado gravitated toward mechanical engineering. For an independent-minded student, the program represented a place not only to apply his skills, but also to satisfy his yearning for exploration.

“I’ve always been a curious person,” he says. “If you have the desire to learn and create new things, that’s basically engineering, and that’s what caught my eye.”

Many of STC’s mechanical engineering classes are project-based, and Delgado particularly remembers enjoying the labs involving bridge-building and the analysis of force. Other highlights included designing machines and tools using state-of-the-art equipment like 3D printers, spectrometers, and charge-to-mass ratio apparatuses.

Another game-changer for Delgado was the one-on-one attention he received.

Delgado remembers having energetic and engaged professors at STC — most memorably Dr. Guanghua Xu, who presides over some of the department’s most challenging physics classes. “He will take his time and explain things to you in detail and make sure you understand everything.”

According to Delgado’s favorite professor, the abstract concepts in his physics classes don’t always come easy. In fact, they often require a totally new way of thinking and studying.

“Efrain did well in the transition and took on the challenges of solving various complicated questions,” beams Xu, who was proud to see his student ace his classes and venture on to achieve his goals. “I am so honored to be a very small part of his success.

“As an educator, his success also makes me feel that my efforts are worthwhile.”

One benefit to South Texas College’s small classes was the inherent camaraderie between engineering students. To help each other see different perspectives, the students would hang out, do homework, and study for tests together. For Delgado, that connectedness would prove invaluable.

“The classes are really hard,” he says. “If you try to work by yourself, sometimes you can get stuck.”

The group’s favorite study spot? STC’s Centers for Learning Excellence, of course.

“You could just go in there and grab a table,” he recalls about the comfortable atmosphere. And if the study group’s collective brainpower ever floundered, they had options. “Whenever we had problems with some homework, the tutor would help us out.”

According to Delgado, the program’s “connected” philosophy has always started at the top. As a student, he remembers being approached by the head of the department, Dr. Enriqueta Cortez, with information about a STEM scholarship that would help cover his two years at STC. The gesture was routine to Cortez, now the Assistant Dean for Math, Science & Bachelor Programs, but vital to Delgado’s higher education and future.

“It gave me a big sum of money to help with my tuition,” says the grateful grad.

When it comes to student support, Cortez says it’s a team effort, involving deans, faculty, and success specialists, all working in harmony to help students like Delgado overcome challenges and succeed.

“We do our very best to help guide them through their educational experience,” says Cortez. “I am extremely happy to learn that Mr. Efrain Delgado benefited from these efforts.”

When Cortez started as the Physical Science Department Chair in 2008, the program had 307 declared engineering majors. Fast-forward to this past fall, and that number has nearly quadrupled to 1,110. She’s proud of how the program has grown, and how the College continues to help aspiring engineers reach their goals.

“At South Texas College, every student is important to us.”

It was that high-touch support that helped Delgado excel in his studies at STC, and, eventually, make the leap to UTRGV.

“I was well prepared,” says Delgado, whose credits all transferred without a hitch. More importantly, he was well prepared for his new program, having already developed the skill set to use math, analysis, and teamwork to solve real-world problems.

“With my knowledge,” he says, “I was ready to start on my engineering career.”

Delgado’s seamless transfer process highlights a point of pride for South Texas College, according to current Department Chair Dr. Ravindra Nandigam. Thanks to strong articulation agreements with institutions like UTRGV and Texas A&M, Kingsville, the engineering programs “provide our majors avenues for a seamless transfer into four-year degree programs.”

Delgado was not only prepared when he got to UTRGV ­— he also was ahead of the game. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in just two years, and soon after landed his dream job with ASML.

Since then, he’s been problem-solving all over the country, and has even made trips to Asia. “They send me all over the place!” says the proud Jaguar grad, who hopes to be a lead engineer one day.

Though his home base has moved from McAllen to Austin, Delgado says that STC will always be in his history and in his heart.

“It’s a good college, and the right first step to take for your career.”

Last summer, Destiny Closner was named valedictorian at Sharyland Advanced Academic Academy and graduated from STC with an associate degree in Biology in May.

Destiny said she was 16 years old when she began taking college courses as a sophomore through STC’s Dual Credit Program.

“I got into this early college because my mom really wanted me to get that associate degree and my high school degree at the same time,” Destiny said. “My mom is a pharmacist, so that's why I always knew I wanted to be in the science field.”

Dual Credit Programs at STC provide the opportunity for eligible high school students, in a participating school district, to enroll in college courses while still attending high school. STC boasts one of the largest Dual Credit Programs in the state, serving high school students, tuition-free, since 2000.

In partnership with STC, Sharyland Advanced Academic Academy is one of 29 ISD Early College High Schools (ECHS) designed to provide high school students with the opportunity to earn up to 60 credit hours and/or an Associate degree while in high school. Each ISD ECHS is designed to create a seamless transition between high school and college.

Hoping to enter a career in pediatrics, Destiny said she was inspired to succeed by her mother Melissa, a pharmacist, as well as her two younger siblings whose support she says was crucial to her success in school.

“My siblings have been a big motivation for me, especially because they look up to me, and I want them to see it's possible to be valedictorian, to take all these college classes, and to still have friends on the side and stuff like that,” Destiny said. “All of my STC professors have been really helpful transitioning high school kids into college kids, and I think with their help, it was pretty fun to be in a college class surrounded by people like twice your age, and then still being able to keep up with them.”

Opting to study microbiology at STC, Destiny said her plan is to now begin the journey into medical school by completing her bachelor degree at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

STC she said gave her the crucial experience she needed before she transitioned to the university.

“I took most of my classes here at STC, so I was only at high school really for two to three hours, and then I would come straight over to the college. I even took summer classes, so it has been a real college experience,” she said. “After I finish UTRGV, I'm hoping to get into either UTRGV medical school or UTSA medical school, or any medical school I can really get into, and then take it from there with the debt and the financing and all that.”

Now finally graduated, Destiny says her career track is set, and with the help of her family and STC will one day reach her goals.

Genaro, originally from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico was raised in General Bravo, Nuevo Leon. He came to the United States for a better life. Being the son of immigrants, he and his parents were always traveling.

“When I used to live in Mexico with my parents, we would go back and forth all the time,” said Genaro. “My parents would work in the fields in California and Texas.”

Growing up, Genaro always dreamed of being a television anchor and says he knew exactly how he would make it happen.

“I remember as a kid, I would tell myself ‘Im going to move to the United States, learn English, and become an anchor one day,’” said Genaro. “I knew it was going to be a tough goal to reach, but I was motivated to make it happen.”

Genaro’s journey of being an anchor started at the age of 16 where he attended the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. There, he received first place in the National Science Competition “VII World Science for all 2001-2002” and had the chance to visit the President of Mexico, Vicente Fox Quezada.

Genaro migrated to the United States at the age of 18. It was then that he enrolled at South Texas College, where he decided to pursue a Bachelors of Applied Technology Degree in Technology Management (BAT).

The BAT program at STC educates, trains, and develops successful supervisors who will be prepared to utilize technology to create a competitive advantage for their company.

“I enjoyed being in the BAT program. One of my biggest mentors was Dr. Ali Esmaeili,” explained Genaro. “When I graduated, I graduated with four different honor societies that include the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, Kappa Beta Honor Society, English Honor Society, and the Vice President Honor Society.”

Soon after graduating from STC, Genaro found himself in the spotlight, landing several jobs including Telemundo 40 in McAllen, Entravision in McAllen, and Telemundo 60 in San Antonio.

“One of the things I remember working with these different companies, is that I got to interview people like Beto O’ Rourke, Julian Castro, and Ted Cruz,” said Genaro.

Genaro is now breaking the mold by making his dream a reality working for Univision in Philadelphia as a bilingual journalist.

“I work in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware,” said Genaro. “Some of the things my job consists of is working with the community, covering breaking news stories, and writing in English and Spanish."

Genaro feels like he has learned a lot being able to cover news in different states and says the experience has been amazing.

“My experience in these different states has been a rewarding experience,” expressed Genaro.

“Two weeks ago, I received an email that I was selected as top journalist of the year by the National Association of Top Professionals from New York,” said Genaro.

While receiving the award, Genaro says he was overwhelmed with emotions and was taken back to his childhood.

“I had a flashback when I opened the award,” explained Genaro. “It took me back to those times growing up in Mexico when I was poor and didn’t have much. I looked back to where I started to where I am now.”

Genaro thanks South Texas College for the path he is on, and says he is proud of where he started.

“I am always going to be proud to be a Jaguar from South Texas College,” said Genaro. “South Texas College is an excellent college that taught me everything I needed to know.”

With the press of a button, Genaro is now on camera. He says that hard work pays off and says he wants to continue moving forward.

“As a son of immigrants, I came to America to have a better life, and I think I am achieving that slowly but surely,” expressed Genaro.

“I am very motivated to continue moving forward,” said Genaro. “I see the suffering of those individuals trying to cross for a better life and I want to do this for them.”