What I've Learned: Arturo Jaimes

Arturo Jaimes is an Assistant Professor of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology at ACC. Jaimes also owns his own air conditioning company, and is two-time graduate of ACC.

I wanted to go to college and asked my father if he would pay for it, but he said no. I was taking an economics class and my instructor told me that ACC was really affordable and to look into that, so I did. I couldn't go to a 4 year college because I didn't have the money, so my best choice was to work part-time and go to ACC.

In 1997, I was living in Bastrop and traveling here to Austin to take classes at ACC.

While taking management classes, one day my radiator broke in the parking lot. I took it apart and went to the automotive department to see if someone could help me fix it. Mr. Kaiser in the AC department was there and helped me repair my radiator then showed me around all the different equipment, and I found it really interesting. I started taking air conditioning classes immediately.

At the age of 20, I became a part-time, evening Lab Technician to assist an older gentlemen who could not lift heavy equipment up the ladder anymore. Eventually, I became a full-time Lab Technician when he left.

I finished my Associate's degree in Business Administration in 2002, and then I transferred to Texas State and got a finance degree in 2005.

I got my contractor's license to do air conditioning and started my own air conditioning business in 2005.

I am the only one in my family who works in air conditioning.

In 2007, a full-time instructor position opened at ACC, and I got hired for that.

To say the least, ACC is my entire life. Everything I have is because of ACC, so I feel like now it is my turn to give back to the college and encourage my students to do the same. I encourage my students to get educated.

You always have to be looking to the future. Right now, I'm really focused on being a better instructor so, that's why I stay active in the field to get real experience from the equipment that's being serviced right now in the field.

I have three kids: two girls and a boy. The oldest is 12; the other one is 3, and then I have a 1-year-old-boy. I always encourage my kids to do what they want to do, just to be the best they can be at whatever they like. But if they decide that their passion is air conditioning, then they are welcome to come join my business. If they have a passion for art or music, I would always encourage them to follow their passion.

All the mistakes I make during the day get passed onto my students at night, so they know what not to do.