Hundreds turn out for McAllen hiring event amid tighter Valley job market

Mission resident Josue Garcia was looking for his first job in technology at the Jumpstart Career Expo on Tuesday morning at the McAllen Convention Center. 

The 21-year-old holds an associate’s degree in applied science in computer support from South Texas College. The vocational training program partners with CompTIA, the Computer Technology Industry Association, to offer certification for various tech skills. 

Garcia said his goal is to continue his education to earn a bachelor’s in information technology or cybersecurity while he works full-time. 

He’s noticed fewer computer coding jobs available as artificial intelligence has dominated the field, but he’s confident that careers that require human connection will remain. 

“AI can only do so much,” he said. “I think it’s better for a person to help rather than have a robot talk to you and try to fix a problem.” 

There were hundreds of job seekers at the career fair looking to match with employers for open positions. 

Some workers were looking for a change, like Lizbeth Garza of McAllen.

The 27-year-old holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and has been working as a charter school teacher for several years. But now she’s interested in transitioning from the classroom to an administrative role in education. 

“I’ve been trying to get a job outside of the classroom, which I thought would be easier, but it’s been hard,” she said. 

Not everyone is using their college degree for their current career path. 

Eduardo Rendon still hasn’t used his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the former University of Texas Brownsville, even 12 years out of college. 

Rendon said he worked during college and was unable to complete internships in his field, which employers required when he graduated in 2014. 

“I wasn’t able to find a job [in mechanical engineering] because I had no experience,” he said. “Even entry-level, I couldn’t get in. I fell through the cracks.” 

Now, he holds a fresh commercial driver’s license and is looking for work in short-haul trucking and logistics. He was working as a long-distance driver, but he’s now helping care for family members with medical conditions, so he’s hoping to stay in the Rio Grande Valley. 

“I’m willing to be out in the field, but just something more local where I can help my parents when they need it,” he said.