Being employed before actually graduating from the program is what Diagnostic Medical Sonography student Miguel Gonzalez experienced at Texas Southmost College.
Only a few weeks before earning his associate degree, the Mission native was already calling Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg home.
“It’s a great feeling knowing I’m set,” said the 28-year-old. “I went from not knowing what career path I wanted to follow to beginning my career before graduating. That’s a huge step.”
Gonzalez added that he counts his blessings to have been hired before graduating because he is pending board certification exams and his degree.
Now that Gonzalez has been in his field for a few months, he will have the opportunity to participate in TSC’s Spring 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. July 31. The college’s original in-person commencement ceremony was postponed due to the pandemic and rescheduled for a virtual ceremony at the end July to protect the health and safety of the students, their families and the community.
After being put to the test by the DHR Ultrasound department during an interview, he said it was TSC that gave him the ability to perform the skills required.
DHR Director of Radiology Sandra Yanez said she first met Gonzalez after a recruiting event at TSC, when he approached her about opportunities at DHR.
“We’ve had great success with graduates from TSC,” said Yanez. “So we know these students are prepared with the skills they need to join the workforce. And Miguel presented himself in a very professional manner and was eager to begin his career.”
Yanez added that Gonzalez’s skills and attitude is the best combination an applicant can have and that he displays key characteristics that define his work ethics.
“Miguel has been employed for a short period now and he is a great fit for our organization,” she said. “His motivation makes him more open to learning and he is on the right track to be a successful sonographer.”
At first, Gonzalez was interested in nursing or x-ray technology, but he found his passion when a friend told him about TSC’s sonography program.
“I took some introductory courses in ultrasound to see if it was something I really wanted to pursue,” said Gonzalez. “And as I learned more, my passion grew, and now I love what I do.”
Gonzalez wasn’t in a good place in life when he started the TSC Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. He felt lost and was struggling financially to put food on the table and gas in his car.
“This period in time was a very humbling experience for me,” said Gonzalez. “There came a point where I had to rely on friends, and that is something you never forget. I came to realize that my only way out of this was with an education.”
Gonzalez, who is part of the TSC Diagnostic Medical Sonography 2020 cohort that earned a 100% pass rate on their national board exams, hunkered down and dedicated himself to working hard to ensure that he passed. He credits his instructors Dr. Ariel Villanueva and Adriana Dallas with much of his success.
“They set high standards in this program,” he said. “They prepare us for rewarding careers and to achieve greatness. They ensure that our professionalism always represents the college, our instructors, program and ourselves in the best light.”
To learn the skills that were impressive to Gonzalez’s director at DHR, he practiced hands-on sonography skills with classmates and community members, who are welcome to schedule free ultrasound appointments at the college with Diagnostic Medical Sonography program students.
He also completed clinical rotations at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen and Brownsville, and at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen.
“Being where I am right now in life is a sigh of relief,” he said. “Although I won’t be celebrating with a traditional commencement ceremony, there is still a lot to be grateful for, so I’m okay with staying safe, staying home and staying healthy.”
For more information, visit TSC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.