A love for dinosaurs inspires path to paleontology
Student of the Week: Edgar Villarreal
I’ve been fascinated by dinosaurs and fossils since I was a little kid, and I knew early on that paleontology was what I wanted to pursue.
Edgar Villarreal, 21, is turning a childhood fascination with dinosaurs into a future in paleontology. A Pharr native, Villarreal is completing his basic coursework at South Texas College (STC) before transferring to pursue a bachelor’s degree in geology.
Villarreal’s interest in paleontology began at a young age after watching the adventure and science fiction film “Jurassic Park.” The dinosaurs, characters and music sparked a curiosity that has stayed with him over the years.
“Ever since I was a little kid, when I first saw Jurassic Park, I was inspired by it, by the dinosaurs and fossils, even the music,” he said. “That’s when I said to myself, this is what I want to pursue. Even to this day I still want to pursue paleontology.”
From watching videos and reading articles about the science behind fossils to pursuing his education, he continues to find ways to learn more about the field he hopes to make a career.
Villarreal chose to attend STC because it is close to home and more affordable.
While his studies remain his priority, Villarreal makes time for hobbies that help him destress between studies. One of his favorite past times is playing ping pong and table tennis, in the game room at STC as a member of the Ping Pong Club that started this past summer.
His college journey has taught him the importance of putting school first. During the spring semester, Villarreal worked long hours at a restaurant and eventually decided to leave his job after realizing it was negatively impacting his grades.
“I had to remind myself that school is first, then the job or other hobbies that you do,” he said.
As he works toward achieving his childhood dream, Villarreal encourages other students to stay focused on their education and goals.
For Villarreal, the curiosity that began when he was a child continues to guide him today. As he prepares for his next step as a longhorn at the University of Texas at Austin, he is getting closer to turning that lifelong interest into a career.