WRTTC offers military veteran opportunity for meaningful careerAugust 04, 2020

Two years ago, when Juan Dominguez and his wife Jassmine adopted their daughter, Juan said he became familiar with some of the abuse and neglect that children face.  That’s when he decided his calling was to help children.  So, now, Juan is taking classes at Midland College’s branch campus in Fort Stockton, the Williams Regional Technical Training Center (WRTTC), with the goal of pursuing a career in child protective services.

“I’m 38, and I have loved every one of my jobs, but it’s time to find a meaningful career,” Dominguez said.

The summer after Dominguez graduated from Fort Stockton High School in 2000, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.  Dominguez was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA and served several tours of duty overseas in Japan, the Philippines and Australia.  In 2003, Dominguez served on the front line infantry during the joint military’s invasion of Iraq. 

After being discharged in 2004, Juan Dominguez enrolled in Everest College in Phoenix, AZ and married Jassmine.  When Jassmine became pregnant, Juan had to drop out of school in order to provide for his growing family. 

“It was time for me to go home to West Texas,” Dominguez explained.  “I wanted to raise my family in a small-town atmosphere, so I convinced Jassmine to move to Fort Stockton.  It was good to get back to West Texas and family connections.”

Dominguez found employment working in the oil and gas industry—first for Nabors Drilling and then Sandridge Energy. He later became an electrician for Qualitas Health, Inc., an algae farming company in the area.

“That’s when I started talking to Jassmine about going back to school,” Dominguez said.  “By then, we had three children, and I needed to find a stable career; I wanted to do something where I can help people.  About that same time, we were blessed with the opportunity to adopt my great niece, a beautiful baby girl.  Through the adoption process, I learned about some of the abuse that children have to endure before they are placed with loving families through adoption and foster care.  That’s when I decided that I wanted to become an investigator for child services, but first I needed a degree.”

So, Juan Dominguez met with advisors at the Midland College WRTTC and soon found himself enrolled in courses.

“It was a little intimidating going back to school after more than 15 years,” Dominguez recalled.  “However, the minute I walked into the WRTTC, the staff and faculty made me feel welcome and comfortable.  My family has also been very supportive.  My daughter Natalie even told me that I could borrow her backpack!”

In addition to taking classes at the WRTTC, Dominguez also now works fulltime at Wallace Lumber Company in Fort Stockton and works at the Lilah Smith Safe House women’s shelter in Fort Stockton on Friday and Saturday evenings.  He said that he has five more classes to take toward an associate degree.

Dominguez also makes sure that he saves time in his busy schedule for his family, which includes son David, 15; daughter Athena, 11; daughter Natalie, 9; and adopted daughter Judith, 2.  Jassmine, Juan and their children enjoy playing games, going to the park and driving to Midland or Odessa once or twice each month.