Centers for Learning Excellence

Nicholas Martinez

Tutor Spotlight

What influenced you to go into the career field you chose?

Since I was young, I was always drawn to STEM fields, particularly biology and astronomy. For a while, I had dreams of working for NASA, but my maternal grandfather had a history of heart disease, so he was frequently in and out of the hospital during my childhood. There’s a vivid memory of him coming home one day clutching a plush toy heart near his chest. He had just undergone bypass surgery. I didn’t know this at the time, but I walked up to comfort him, and he told me that one day I needed to find him a new heart so he could be well again. It was such a formative experience for me and ultimately what led me to pursue medicine.

When did you work at the CLE and how long did you work here?

I started working as a student learning assistant in October of 2011. I continued working at the Mid-Valley CLE until May 2018.

What made you interested in applying to work at the CLE?

One of my first mentors from STC was Ricky Banda. He reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested in working as a tutor at the CLE. At the time it was just a job for me and a means to pay tuition and bills, but it evolved into something much more. Tutoring, student support, and mentorship became one of my core passions and I felt like I found my niche while working at the CLE.

Tell us a student success story that reaffirmed your love of tutoring. Did this impact your decision to pursue the career you did?

The exact details are a bit fuzzy, but I do remember helping an older female student with her math coursework. She came frequently and almost always requested me specifically. One day in the Walmart parking lot I heard somebody call out my name. As I turned around, I recognized that it was the older female student from the CLE, and she was so happy to share the news that she not only passed her math class but went on to graduate with her Associate’s degree. Although her name escapes me, I can still visualize her face, beaming with happiness as she shared the wonderful news. I carried this memory with me along with many other student interactions because they serve as testaments to the importance of student support and tutoring. I realized my role as a tutor was much more profound than I had realized and that helping students in any capacity was deeply gratifying. I continued to tutor and mentor throughout medical school, serving as the Lead TA captain for my class and I will continue this service as I complete my medical training.

What have you been doing since you left the CLE?

Since leaving the CLE in 2018 I pursued and received my Master’s degree in Medical Science at UNT Health Sciences Center in Fort Worth, Texas. From there, I applied to medical school and was granted acceptance in 2019 into Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso, Texas. I graduated from medical school this Spring and I’m now completing my medical internship at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut. If all goes well, I’ll then be on my way to New York to complete my Radiology residency in Summer of 2024.

How did working at the CLE prepare you for the career you have now?

Working at the CLE for 7 years really helped me develop professionally. I worked alongside many great people who have become my close friends and have also established more mentors along the way. I worked with countless students and eventually took on some managerial responsibilities. There were times when I held multiple jobs while still tutoring at the CLE. All of this is to say that my time at the CLE helped me to improve my interpersonal communication skills, time management skills, and establish meaningful and lasting personal and professional relationships.

Do you consider yourself to be successful? Why or why not?

Yes, I’d say that I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by friends, family, and mentors that have all contributed to my success. None of what I’ve achieved could have been possible without the help of others. I wasn’t always successful on my first or even second attempts, but grit and diligence were paramount to overcoming the many obstacles in my way.

What advice would you give to new college students?

If you ever have any kind of doubt, whether they may be professional or personal in nature, please reach out to somebody! Find one person you can trust and lean on them. It’s hard to ask for help and it often makes us feel vulnerable to do so but you’re not alone and you’re most definitely not the first person to feel lost.

What was your favorite thing about working at the CLE?

My favorite thing about working at the CLE was meeting all the friends I’ve made along the way. I have so many fond memories of us in the break room or coming together for potlucks on the holidays or going out for food and games. I even remember posting a letter in the break room the day I left the Mid-Valley CLE saying how much I was going to miss working with everybody there.

What would you say was the biggest struggle to overcome in life thus far?

Personally, it’s an internal struggle of never feeling prepared enough. I can study and write all the notes I want but there’s always a baseline level of anxiety that never completely disappears. It can serve as a great motivator or sometimes it can be paralyzing. I’ve learned to manage this problem better throughout my academic career but now I need to learn how to manage this anxiety as I start practicing medicine as a full-fledged doctor. It’s a daunting task but I know I have the support I need to be successful.