College instructor uses experience to teach othersNovember 03, 2020

"When I was young, I thought about going into the oilfield,” Rey Salgado said. “I was going to drop out of school; however, thankfully, I was counseled not to do that. The oilfield business goes up and down, but as long as people are behind the wheel, auto collision repair and refinishing will never go out of style.”

So, for 20 years, Salgado worked in the auto paint and body field.  He also enjoyed training and mentoring new employees. 

"I love teaching!” Salgado exclaimed. “It comes naturally to me. Even at church, I am always teaching people.”

In 2014, Salgado was in the process of changing jobs when he read in the newspaper that Midland College needed a part-time instructor for its paint and body instructional program. So, he applied for the position and was hired. 

“There is a big demand in the auto-collision industry for technicians,” Salgado explained. “In the last few years, I started noticing that fewer technicians were available because they were retiring, and there wasn't new talent to replace them. It made me realize that I could help fill that gap by teaching a new generation of technicians.”

Once hired at Midland College, Salgado immediately began working on an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Automotive Technology.  He credits his wife with pushing him to pursue a degree.

"My wife was my mentor,” Salgado said. “She encouraged me to go to the next class and helped me study. She helped me learn and never left my side."

Born and raised in Monahans, Salgado has lived in Midland for 15 years and now considers himself a native Midlander. Salgado and his wife have four children and two grandchildren, and faith and family are important to him.  For the past 2 ½ years, Salgado has driven to McCamey every Sunday to preach at Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor. He said he will continue to do so until the church finds a full-time pastor. He has also been a deacon in his local church Centro Familiar Cristiano for 14 years.

According to Salgado, auto collision repair and refinishing is a promising career. He feels very fortunate to be able to combine teaching with his original profession. Highly qualified to teach in this field with his degree and over 90 hours of certifications, Salgado feels continuing education is key to providing his students with the best learning experience.

"In the collision industry, there are opportunities to make excellent money,” Salgado said.  “I have friends that are making upwards of $150,000 to $400,000 a year. They can work 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with weekends off. That's a priority for me. I am big on family."

The auto body technician must know automotive, autobody and auto structure because in an accident, mechanical parts need to be fixed if they are damaged.

"I tell my students that the more they can do, the more money they will make. The more successful they will be," Salgado added.

Pete Avalos, program chair of Energy, Auto and Diesel technologies at Midland College, said that Rey Salgado has been a great addition to Midland College and the automotive program.

"Rey's many years of industry experience along with the fact that he is an MC alum has a positive impact on the students when he tells his story," Avalos explained. "He brings a great attitude that's contagious with students, and Rey goes above and beyond to make sure that students get as much individual training as possible. Rey's passion for teaching reflects how he makes every student his priority every semester. It is truly a pleasure to work with him."

Rey believes that students get as much out of the learning experience as they put in.

"I tell my students to have faith that they can learn something new, apply it in their lives and then be successful," Salgado said.

For Rey Salgado, answering the Midland College ad for a part-time faculty position has been a life-changing experience.

"I appreciate the opportunity to work for Midland College,” Salgado said. “It has been an honor and an opportunity. I have met and worked with a lot of good people. It's a family."