Alumni Spotlight: Heidi Delgado
Jessyca Brown
Friday, February 17, 2023 10:19 AM
Enrollment Management, General Events, Academics
Hillsboro, TX
Heidi Delgado graduated from Hill College in 2021 with an Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology. Heidi was raised by her mother, Christena Delgado, in Itasca, Texas. She graduated high school in 2018 with dreams of becoming a veterinarian. She was an honors graduate, FFA member, and athlete.
After taking online classes her senior year in high school, she planned to attend Hill College for her core classes and then hoped to transfer to Tarleton State to finish her degree and go on to vet school.
Her career path changed one evening. Her car broke down and she had to be at school and work the next morning.
“I decided to diagnose my vehicle on my own. A few YouTube videos later and beating on the alternator with a hammer, I discovered my alternator was bad. Once again, YouTube came to the rescue, and I was able to replace the alternator by myself.”
It was that event that changed Heidi’s path.
“I discovered that I actually enjoyed getting my hands dirty and working on vehicles. I thought about my career choice for a few days and decided to switch my major to an Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology.”
She started the automotive program at Hill College Cleburne with no knowledge about vehicles.
“All I knew was that I had to put gas in it, and if the horseshoe light with an exclamation mark came on, my tires had something wrong with them.”
“The instructors are outstanding. They taught the material in a way that students could understand and then go to the shop and apply what they learned.”
During her time in the program, she rebuilt the engine and transmission for a 1978 Chevrolet pickup that she and her little brother are restoring.
Heidi set a goal to have a job in a shop before graduation.
She received a position at Southwest Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Cleburne, working with “a great group of people.”
“As nervous as I was about joining a male-dominant career field, I have to say, I am very glad that I did.”
In addition to her work at the dealership, Heidi is also serving in the Unites States Air Force Reserve.
“I could not have done any of this without the help of my family, especially my mom, who pushes my siblings and me to do our very best at everything we do. Without my family and God, I would not have accomplished any of these dreams and goals.”
Heidi plans to continue her education at Hill College in the automotive industry, as well as pursue a degree in business.