Biology student says STC a launching pad into a stellar medical career
Student of the Week: Jose Mata
With his sights set on one day becoming a surgeon, Jose Mata says South Texas College is the perfect place to start his journey into a medical career.
Currently studying for his Associate of Science degree in Biology before moving on to his bachelor degree and hopefully medical school, Jose said he was inspired by his mother, a registered nurse, who initially pushed him into a medical career.
He said he grew up watching her as she made her rotations at the hospital where she worked and became dedicated to helping others just as she did.
“It was nice having her support. She's a real inspiration for me,” Jose said. “I just think she's real smart and intelligent and I just want to be able to also help someone out like how she helps out people.
“That's why I was going for nursing in the beginning, but I always kind of wanted to go for med-school instead,” he said. “Several of the instructors here just motivated me as because they saw I was doing well in their class. They told me to just go for it and that motivated me as well to get better grades.”
“I think it's important to grasp all the material that's being given to you because you also grow as a person when you learn something new. For those students pursuing a medical degree, you have to carry that mentality with you, especially when you are studying for big tests like the MCAT.”
The Biology program at STC specializes in preparing students for many exciting career opportunities available in the biological sciences although many of those careers require training beyond an associate degree.
“I think it's important to grasp all the material that's being given to you because you also grow as a person when you learn something new,” Jose said. “For those students pursuing a medical degree, you have to carry that mentality with you, especially when you are studying for big tests like the MCAT.”
Offering advice to students seeking the same degree plan, Jose says it’s not enough to just coast through school work.
“I have seen some people who don't really like to learn and who just want to get through the class, and that’s not the right way,” Jose said. “I know I won't make it in a university if I don't do really well here at STC, so I'm just trying to kill all the tests trying to make sure I have the highest grades in all my classes. If you are going down this route, you just have to make sure you understand everything.”