Automotive Service Technology major will be DCTC Commencement student speaker
Thomas Soriano Garcia, 19, is earning his Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Automotive Service Technology at Dakota County Technical College. A first-generation college student, Thomas serves as vice president of the Student Senate. He belongs to the Rotaract Club and leads the Outreach and Activities Committee, which helps host events on campus. He participates in TRIO SSS and worked in Student Life’s Student Ambassador program.
Rotaract College and Community Expansion Initiative Luncheon 2025
While attending college, Thomas works approximately 15 hours a week as a general maintenance technician at Leo’s Auto Repair in Shakopee, Minnesota. He also has a part-time job helping his parents with their commercial cleaning business. He will be graduating from DCTC this spring.
After graduation, he plans on working at an independent repair or fleet repair facility with the goal to advance his technical skills by working hard and continuously learning on the job.
“I am very grateful for the opportunities I have received while at DCTC,” Thomas said. “My education has shown me that I have a real passion for helping people. My experience working in the service industry field has really helped me realize how I want to help people and leave my impact on my community. In the future, I look forward to possibly opening a business where I either offer my services or expand into other opportunities as they come.”
DCTC Commencement 2025 student speaker
Thomas will be a student speaker at the college’s commencement ceremony at TCO Stadium Thursday, May 8, 2025. He was inspired to serve in this role by his own experience mastering the challenges of college life.
“When I first started at DCTC, I felt very uncertain and scared of the journey ahead that is college,” he said. “I want to be the voice for people and show them that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Especially during times of great doubt, it’s important to remember that we will get through it. I hope to leave a impact on my peers as this is a turning point in our lives. I hope to deliver a message that helps people feel excited about the next step.”
Thomas is centering the topic of his speech on taking a leap of faith and keeping your hopes and dreams high. “We are capable of a lot more than we think,” he said. “We need to reflect on our struggles and focus on the fact that we overcame them. We can make our dreams come true no matter how impossible they may feel.”
Anna Voight: Staff perspective
“I have had the pleasure of working with Thomas over the past two years through his involvement in the Student Ambassador program, TRIO Student Support Services, the Student Senate, and his involvement in other campus activities and volunteerism. Thomas is a natural leader and possesses many strengths that make him an asset to our Student Life team.
“Thomas has a high level of integrity and a strong work ethic; he cares about others and makes an effort to get to know his team members and build relationships. He is reliable and an excellent communicator; he follows through, can be counted on to get the job done, and leads by example.
“Thomas is the epitome of a student leader and has been an exceptional addition to our student leadership teams. Thomas is the type of the employee every supervisor wants to have. I look forward to seeing where his path leads him after DCTC!”
Anna Voight, MA
Campus Merger Coordinator
Neurodiverse ERG Chair
Dakota County Technical College
Brett Kolles: Faculty perspective
“Thomas has volunteered for many Rotaract activities, and his positive attitude and boundless energy always make his peers enjoy even more the experience of serving others.”
Brett Kolles, MA
English Faculty
Rotaract Club Faculty Co-Advisor
Minnesota State BOT 2019 Outstanding Educator
More about Thomas…
Thomas and Cici
Originally from Burnsville, Minnesota, Thomas graduated from Burnsville High School, Class of 2023. He is the middle child in his family; he has one older sister, Fatima, 24, and one younger brother, Joshua, 13. His mom, Zulema, and his dad, Tómas, own their own cleaning business, where they specialize in cleaning commercial buildings such as offices and schools.
“My parents work most of the week and are very busy,” Thomas said. “My family is from Acapulco, Guerrero, in Mexico. My girlfriend of three years, Cici, is an emerging store manager at Walgreens, and she loves to help animals. Our family has two pugs, Sebastián and Princess.”
Thomas with parents at high school graduation
Thomas related that his family often enjoys spending time by going out as a group to a movie or dinner. “We are family-oriented and work well with each other,” he said. “My family is a big part of my support network. Especially during my time at DCTC, they have really helped me strive and grow as a person. Being proud of me in many great moments, but also being a shoulder during hard times.”
Thomas added that being a first-generation child of immigrants has really opened his perspective on life. “My parents have taught me to be strong and relentless in times of great struggle,” he said. “Being strong is not easy, but my parents have shown me strength in their constant hard work and determination to give me a life they never could have. I strive to be the best person I can be and try and bring good in a world that feels filled with nothing but bad.”
In his free time, Thomas likes to draw things he sees in his daily life. “I enjoy drawing art and giving it as gifts to the people in my life,” he said. “I also enjoy freestyling and listening to rap/hip-hop. I enjoy spending time listening to beats and enjoy practicing the guitar. I enjoy making freestyles about my life experiences. I have a very open look on life. I never really felt able to express myself. Music has allowed me to express and understand a part of me.”
Thomas often goes for walks with his dogs and enjoys spending time outdoors. He also enjoys going on road trips with Cici.
“I have real adventurous interest in the world around me,” he said. “I always try to do new things to keep my self busy and productive.”
Thomas resides with his family in Burnsville.
Thomas life and family gallery
Thomas Soriano Garcia • Q & A
Thomas Soriano Garcia
What inspired you to enroll in the Automotive Service Technology program at DCTC?
I was inspired to join the Automotive Service Technology (AST) program during a school trip to the DCTC Automotive Fair, where I got to see a firsthand look at the program and meet the instructors. I also saw the many systems that I would learn and work on. I have always been fascinated by cars and the ability to work on cars was a skill I always wanted to learn, but felt like I couldn’t do it.
I joined the AST program taking a leap of faith, deciding to give it a try. I was also inspired by the fact that this was a skill that allowed me to help others and that was also a motivating force for me during the beginning of my time in the program.
What have you enjoyed most about the Automotive Service Technology program so far?
I have enjoyed the many experiences the program has offered me, including the opportunity to see performance cars and learn about the many complex and exciting features these vehicles have. I have been able to learn a lot about automotive repair and feel very confident about asking questions and getting help from my instructors, who have always been an amazing support network during my time at DCTC.
I have taken advantage of the many job-seeking skills and career-advising tools DCTC provides. This is a hard transition that I know I don’t face alone. The AST program has allowed me to learn and grow in a safe and welcoming environment. I will truly look back with fondness on my time at DCTC, and I’m excited about the opportunities that will result from my education in the AST program.
What are your duties as Student Senate vice president?
As Student Senate vice president, I am tasked with supporting my president, Bethany Mejia-Elias, to the best of my abilities during our meetings and preparation. It is also my responsibility to run the Outreach and Activities Committee for various events around campus. The goal of the committee is to be able to hear the voices of students on how we can host and organize events that bring the whole college together.
I feel very passionate about my responsibilities as it gives us, the students, the opportunity to have our voices heard. I am working in collaboration with the Red Cross for our annual DCTC Blood Drive. Having worked closely with the Red Cross last year, I see the importance of doing our part even if it feels small. Donating blood is one of the best ways to help save the lives of people who are in need. During my time as vice president, I have made a main goal of being the best leader I can be in supporting my peers.
Three words that describe you as a first-generation college student:
DETERMINED. AUTHENTIC. AMBITIOUS.
What are you looking forward to most after graduating from DCTC?
The many opportunities to gain experience in my career in an industry where I feel like I can grow to become a better automotive technician. I am very excited to be able to apply what I have learned during my time at DCTC. I feel a lot more confident with my technical skills.
I am also very happy that now I can use my newly learned skills to help the people in my life with car issues. That will come in handy not only for saving money, but it will also allow me to help people and build connections as one day I would like to do work in my own independent business. I get a lot of motivation and feel happy about helping others as it helps me feel closer to my goal of being a good person/technician in this industry. I will keep putting my best efforts to keep growing and learning even after I am done at DCTC.
What about advice would you give first-generation college students about finding success in campus life and their studies?
Just try and give opportunities a chance. You never know how attending one event or connecting with one person can change everything. I first started getting involved by becoming a student ambassador. I didn’t feel confident or sure of what I was doing. By putting myself in an uncomfortable situation, I was able to learn how to work outside of my comfort zone.
One of the hardest things that I have learned, especially as a first-generation college student, is that no matter how much I do, I have to keep pushing. The striving for success is never done. Giving myself the chance to do things that were fun with other people who were in the same boat as me helped me find a community at school where I feel comfortable with the fact that I don’t know everything. But that’s okay because we’re all growing at our own pace. Don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith—you never know where it will take you.
What do you like best about your participation in Rotaract Club?
I like how Rotaract has allowed me to connect to my community through volunteering and learning the importance of giving back. I loved packing meals during the Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) events and shopping cart events, where I got to meet people and have genuine connections with them. Being able to give back and be part of a community has made me realize that giving back to people is my passion. Rotaract has shown me that all it takes is one step to make an impact no matter how small it may be.
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
My mom has been someone who has shown me during my entire life that anything you put your mind into too is possible—no matter how hard the journey may be. My mom and dad both showed me what it is to show up even when you don’t feel like you can do it. They have been one of my biggest inspirations showing me it is possible to achieve our goals and dreams.
If you keep a good mindset, the world is limitless. They are one of biggest reasons why I am the person I am today. I wouldn’t be here without them along my journey, which is why they have been one of my biggest influences.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
For everyone to be treated equally with respect and kindness.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
GROWTH
Thomas Soriano Garcia • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Basketball, running
Places you would most like to visit: Japan, Hawaii, also somewhere to see the Northern Lights- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Going to see my family back in Mexico and really getting to connect with my roots
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Buy my parents a house 2) Give back to the people in my life who have given to me 3) Build a house and start a business that would help me give back to the ones I love
- Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: A Man Called Otto
- Time period you would explore if you could time travel: Jurassic period to see how different the world really was
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Be a good person to the people who deserve it
Your national bird if you were your own country: Blue jay- Dream occupation: Artist/musician
- Person you would most like to meet: I would love to meet Bob Marley if I could; his music/songs are some of my favorites as they were part of my childhood growing up
- Skills you would most like to learn and master: How to wire electrical systems; how to play an instrument; sing a song to my loved ones
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Prejudice against one another when we are all people at the end of the day
Learn more about the Automotive Service Technology program at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
More about Automotive Service Technology at DCTC…
This is a high-demand program: APPLY EARLY. Contact Admissions for more information.
As skilled professionals, automotive technicians accurately diagnose mechanical problems related to engine, transmission, fuel injection, suspension, HVAC and electrical systems.
Students learn to maintain and repair engine, chassis, drive train, front-wheel drive, fuel injection, hybrid/electric drive and electrical and emission systems. Instruction involves classroom theory, demonstrations, computer applications and hands-on car repair.
The curriculum follows the standards defined by the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation which ensures all training meets the highest standards. Students who graduate from this program will be able to work for independent repair facilities and dealerships in in various automotive service positions. See potential job titles for examples.
Award
Automotive Service Technology A.A.S. degree: 72 credits
Delivery: On campus; daytime classes
Start: Fall semester or spring semester; full-timeAutomotive Service Technology Datasheet
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Reported job titles
- Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech)
- Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic)
- Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech)
- Automotive Technician (Auto Tech)
- Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech)
- Heavy Line Technician (Heavy Line Tech)
- Lube Tech (Lubrication Technician)
- Mechanic
- Quick Service Technician (Quick Service Tech)
- Service Technician (Service Tech)
WAGES
Minnesota
Workers on average earn $49,290
10 percent of workers earn $35,950 or less
10 percent of workers earn $77,310 or moreUnited States
Workers on average earn $47,770
10 percent of workers earn $30,600 or less
10 percent of workers earn $77,630 or more2023 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Trends: Minnesota
Employment(2020): 14,270 employees employees
Projected employment (2030): 13,500 employees
Projected growth (2020–2030): -5%
Projected annual job openings (2020–2030): 1,280Occupational Trends: United States
Employment (2023): 794,600 employees
Projected employment (2033): 815,900 employees
Projected growth (2023–2033): 3 percent: Average
Projected annual job openings(2023–2033): 67,800Visit O*NET OnLine for comprehensive information about the occupation:
Automotive Service Technicians and MechanicsSOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
