'Failure is not an option for me'
Student of the Week: Samhir Joseph Saucedo
“My parents have sacrificed a lot to help me get to where I am and failure is not an option for me.”
Samhir Joseph Saucedo enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy Program at South Texas College in the fall of 2019 because he wants to save lives.
“From a young age I’ve desired to make a positive impact in the world,” Saucedo said. “At first, I thought I would do this pursuing mechanical engineering but realized I am more interested in people than machines. My passion for the medical field intensified when I was tasked to care for my nephew who was diagnosed with diabetes. During this difficult time for our family, I learned how to check his blood pressure, administer his medication, and ensured he stayed on course with a healthy diet. Caring for my nephew allowed me to find my place in the world.”
Saucedo said he chose South Texas College for a variety of reasons, including its quality of instruction, low cost, quality of instructors, and its proximity to home. The South Texas College program also is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
The personal attention he receives stands out the most to him. Professors are accessible for one-on-one conversations and students are not packed into a classroom.
“I’ve had a great experience attending STC,” Saucedo said. “I have learned many invaluable skills. A lot of professors are happy to not only be your instructor but also serve as a mentor fostering professional growth.”
The program is five semesters in length and combines classroom, laboratory and clinical education experience. Respiratory therapists earn an average annual salary of nearly $60,000 in the region and national projections call for a sharp growth in employment through the end of this decade. Saucedo said he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the medical and health services field from STC after earning his associate of applied science degree.
“My parents have sacrificed a lot to help me get to where I am and failure is not an option for me,” Saucedo said. “I am also very passionate about what I do and this makes it easier to keep pushing past obstacles because this is what I love to do and what I will dedicate my life to saving lives. I don’t think there is a greater reward than to be able to save somebody and help then turn their life around.”