Anything is Possible
Student of the Week: Erica Gaona
“I've always loved the thought of helping people and just making a difference, and I've just always been interested in the medical field. I have also always worked in clinics and doctor's offices, so that's where I wanted to further pursue my education.”
Having spent years learning to care for patients. Erica Gaona said it was only natural that she followed her calling into a career in a healthcare setting.
Currently working in a pain management, Gaona says she brings more than 15 years of experience working with medical professionals. A recent opportunity to work under a radiologist inspired her career choice when she began at STC in the fall of 2021.
“I've always loved the thought of helping people and just making a difference, and I've just always been interested in the medical field. I have also always worked in clinics and doctor's offices, so that's where I wanted to further pursue my education,” Gaona said. “I feel I have learned a lot through the clinics where I have worked dealing with patients, and now that I am working alongside a radiologist, that has really helped me go into the field.”
At South Texas College, students are trained for employment as entry-level radiologic technologists in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, mobile imaging services, and additional medical facilities.
After completing the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for Radiologic Technology administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Successful completion of this exam results in the designation of the title as a Registered Technologist in Radiography, or R.T. (R) (ARRT).
Gaona said she plans to begin taking her core classes for radiology in the spring. When she finishes, Gaona said she would like to work in a hospital setting or even specialize in mammography or in nuclear medicine as well as begin her career as a radiology assistant.
“I'm super excited to start my core classes for radiology because I Know I'm really going to enjoy it,” she said. “I just want to stay focused and head in the right direction. There are a lot of job opportunities that fall in the line of radiology. As long as I keep studying anything's possible, and that goes for any student looking to get ahead. As long as you have a good head on your shoulders, stay focused and work hard for what you want, you'll eventually get there.”