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EPISD Student Spotlight: Jesse Rodriguez, CCTE
(CENTER FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION – May 16, 2022) – Senior Jesse Rodriguez gets a charge out of playing football and soccer at Irvin High School, but it’s his work at CCTE learning about electrical technology that is going to power his career goals. The CCTE student has earned several industry certifications and numerous accolades in Skills USA, including advancing to the national competition this summer. Community Engagement interviewed Jesse for this week’s edition of the EPISD Student Spotlight.
EPISD: Tell us about being in CCTE’s electrical technology program?
Jesse Rodriguez: Being in the CCTE Electrical Technology program has been fun because it is what I have planned to continue studying in the future. I have learned how to wire receptacles, light fixtures, ceiling fans, doorbell chimes and many other things. As a second-year student at CCTE, I’ve gotten far enough that I’ve learned how to bend conduits and how to perform industrial motor control work.
EPISD: Tell us about the competitions you’ve excelled in while at CCTE and what you like about competing in the electrical technology field.
JR: I’ve excelled in various SkillsUSA competitions. Last year, as a junior, I excelled in the Construction Wiring competition and placed second in district, which allowed me to advance to state. This year, I excelled in the Industrial Motor Control and Job Skills Demonstration A competitions and placed second in Motor Control and third in Job Demonstration. These results allowed me to advance to state. At state, I placed first in the Industrial Motor Control competition, allowing advance to nationals next month in Atlanta. I like to compete in the electrical technology field because it puts my knowledge and my hands on experience to the test. Knowing that there are other people that might be better causes me to want to perform the best by applying my skills.
EPISD: What made you want to enroll at CCTE and how will this help you with your future career?
JR: I knew what I wanted to study in the future, then we had a tour at CCTE to see all the different options of classes they had and while that was going on, I got more interested in the electrical technology program and took a shot at it. This will help me in my future when I go out to the electrical work field because the program allowed me to get my Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Apprentice Electrician License, OSHA 10 Hour Construction Safety Course, and also the National Center for Construction Education and Research. These help me prove my experience in the electrical field.
EPISD: Where do you plan to go to college and what do you plan to major in?
JR: I plan to attend The University of Texas at El Paso and major in Electrical Engineering.
EPISD: What advice would you a student interested in pursuing classes at CCTE?
JR: The advice I would give is to take advantage of all the programs they provide because they are hands-on learning and have many benefits in the long run.
EPISD: Tell us about your passion for soccer and football?
JR: My passion for football and soccer is big. I like to do both sports, but throughout my high school years I focused more on soccer. I’m super passionate about these sports because they are always super competitive on trying to prove a point about who is better and it’s lots of fun.
EPISD: What activities are you involved in other than soccer and football?
JR: I am also the Illusions Dance Team manager.