It’s been a long road, but Tyler Fuentes is poised to become one of 607 graduates of University of Texas Permian Basin Saturday.
Commencement is at 11 a.m. at the Horseshoe Pavilion, 2514 Arena Trail, in Midland.
Fuentes, who is also a successful DJ, will graduate with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and he earned another in math with a minor in music, also from UTPB. He made the President’s Honor Roll by earning a 4.0 GPA while taking 27 credit hours.
He will be working for Kiewit as a field engineer in Dallas-Fort Worth doing power delivery.
“It’s less electrical engineering and it’s more the design of plants. It’s more the delivery of power …,” Fuentes said.
A military brat, Fuentes said he came to Odessa to take care of family and finish his degree. He was originally accepted at Purdue University and was on the biomedical track.
“My grandmother, who was like a mother to me, ended up getting ill and my father mentioned that these (could be) the last few years that she had, so I wanted to make sure that I came down here to spend time with her. He had mentioned (that) UTPB (is) a good school. Coming down here and then pursuing that degree here just made me realize that I really enjoyed not only the school but the curriculum and everything about it,” Fuentes said.
He added that he liked the fact that the curriculum was as challenging as a big school, but felt more personal.
“Like I said, I’ve been to Purdue … but I like how the professors are more personal to you. Like when you’re at a large D1 university, I feel like you’re just a number. But here, it’s more like they know your face. …,” Fuentes said.
He added that he “couldn’t be happier” to be graduating.
Fuentes said the path to graduation has taken about eight years.
“This has been a long time coming. I mean, extremely long time. I still can’t believe I’m walking the stage tomorrow,” Fuentes said Friday.
In addition to being in the Student Government Association and American Nuclear Society, the 27-year-old Fuentes is also a successful DJ.
He has been a professional DJ for almost five years.
“I was gifted a board once for my birthday. It collected dust for the longest time because I didn’t know anything about it. Then … while studying here at the SAC I had mentioned it to one of my engineering friends and he just said I could show you how to DJ .,.,” Fuentes said.
What was a fun hobby turned into a passion.
“I had always loved music. But it just really took off and then it was like the universe just kind of opened the doors. Less than four months after … practicing …, I got offered my first job just running into somebody. People heard me play and then it was pretty much over after that. I’m blessed. I was amazed,” Fuentes said.
He has played in a variety of places such as Lubbock, Dallas, Denver, Michigan, Colorado Springs and San Antonio and he has toured with different artists.
“… A lot of this was pre-COVID. That was probably the highlight of my career. Now it’s starting to build up again with everyone … starting to be more relaxed,” Fuentes said.
In a dream world, he might pursue following his dream.
“But unfortunately, I was born with a really good brain so I wanted to always have a backup. I wanted to make my father proud; make my family proud, just pursue something that, even if my dream never came true, I wasn’t … working at the Whataburger waiting for my next gig,” he added.
