1st generation college grad enjoys career in healthcareMarch 15, 2021

“I was the second oldest of seven children in my family,” Carlos Castillo explained.  “My father worked on a cotton farm near Midkiff and probably made less than $25,000 per year.  Growing up, I had always wanted to go to college, but I didn’t think it was possible.

“When I was a senior at Rankin High School, I went to Midland with a friend of mine who was going to go to Midland College.  We could get an excused absence from school as a ‘college day.’  When we got to Midland College, I met Sonya Mikeska, the athletic trainer, and she asked me if I was interested in becoming a student athletic trainer.  When I explained that I couldn’t afford to go to college, she said she could help me get scholarships and financial aid.  That meeting changed my life!”

Today, Castillo is a contract Computed Tomography (CT) Technologist working for a traveling medical staffing company.  He is currently working at Medical City Hospital in Fort Worth.  He works three 12-hour shifts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and then is back in Midland on Monday to be with his family during the week.

“I worked at Midland Memorial Hospital for 10 years,” Castillo said.  “I really enjoyed it, but I was ready for a change and wanted to see how other hospitals worked.  The opportunity to work as a traveling contract CT tech appealed to me.  The salary is more, and I have the opportunity to see how other hospitals are managed.  My goal is to eventually move up to a management position in a hospital.”

Castillo graduated from Rankin High School in 2004, and thanks to Midland College scholarships and federal financial aid, he was able to attend Midland College from 2004-2006. During that time, he was a student athletic trainer working with the men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams.  He also was a Student Ambassador and worked as a night clerk in one of MC’s residence halls.

“The opportunity to be a student trainer made me realize that I wanted a career in the medical field,” Castillo said.  “It also taught me time management and organizational skills.  Sonya Mikeska gave her student trainers a lot of responsibility, and she expected us to own up to it.  It made for long days.  I would go to class in the mornings, work with the teams during their afternoon practice and then have to wash uniforms.  In the nights, I worked in the residence halls.  I loved every minute of it!”

When Castillo graduated from Midland College with his first associate degree in 2006, he applied to the college’s radiography technology program; however, wasn’t immediately accepted.  

“I just kept trying,” Castillo said.  “I got a job working at Schlumberger but didn’t give up on my dream of becoming a radiography technologist.”

Two years later, in 2008, Castillo was accepted into the program.  This time he financed his tuition and fees with Midland College donor-directed scholarships and by working in the evenings at Chick-fil-A.  In 2010, he graduated with his second degree from Midland College – an Associate of Applied Science degree in Radiography Technology.  He got a job working at Midland Memorial Hospital where he worked as a CT and MRI Technologist.  

Also, in 2010, Castillo married his wife Kresa, and the couple now have two children—9-year-old Krista and 5-year-old Nicholas.  Castllo took a second job to support his growing family working one weekend each month at Pecos County Memorial Hospital in Fort Stockton.

“Even though the job I have now requires me to work in Fort Worth on the weekends, it really allows me more time with my family,” he said.  “”My ultimate goal is to keep working as a contract CT Tech and work on a bachelor’s degree at Midland College in Organizational Management so that I can eventually get into hospital management.”

In his spare time, Castillo enjoys golfing and fishing.  Family time with his wife and children includes watching movies and enjoying the trails at Sibley Nature Center in Midland with the family’s new Labrador puppy named Danny.

Castillo has set an example for his younger brothers and sisters.  He was the first person in his family to attend and graduate from college.  Four of his younger siblings followed in his footsteps and also graduated from community colleges—one from Western Texas College in Snyder and three from Midland College.

“I’m not sure where my life would have taken me had I not gone with my friend to Midland College on that day during my high school senior year,” Castillo said.  “I just wanted to get an excused absence from school—I never imagined that I would end up enrolling in college!  It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.  The opportunity to go to college is available for everyone—you just have to take it!”

Photo:  Pictured from left to right Carlos Castillo, his daughter Krista, son Nicholas and wife Kresa