Gil achieves career success by remaining persistent

By providing students with hands-on experience alongside their academic studies, the San Jacinto College EDGE Center and Intuitive Machines are empowering the next generation of leaders in the aerospace and space exploration sectors.     

Working at Intuitive Machines at the Houston Spaceport is a job Oscar Gil never thought would happen after spending nearly a decade pursuing his education. 

"Everyone plans for four years, maybe five at most, but when things don't go as expected, you have to adjust,” Gil said. “You really don't know what's going to happen next.” 

In 2017, Gil was an engineering student at the University of Houston. Unfortunately, a low GPA led to his suspension from the program, causing a chain of academic setbacks.  

"At times, it was hard to rely on myself to keep going,” he said. “I persisted by drawing strength from a lot of prayer and faith.”  

Desperate to stay connected to engineering, Gil discovered San Jacinto College's Toyota T-TEN program, which provided a gateway into automotive technology and an invaluable internship as a master technician apprentice. Determined to earn his bachelor's degree, he returned to UH, switching to math with a physics minor. Securing an engineering job after graduation in 2021 amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging, prompting him to explore aviation mechanics. 

Once again, this led Gil back to San Jacinto College, where the aerospace technician program at the EDGE Center offered a flexible, affordable online option. A few months into his training, a chance encounter with Intuitive Machines representatives, facilitated by the College’s former aerospace education director Dr. Janis Fowler, led to an unexpected job offer, eventually evolving into a full-time position.    

Reflecting on my journey, I realize every setback, from academic struggles to career transitions, laid the groundwork for my current role at Intuitive Machines. As I mark two years with the company, the initial thrill has transformed into a sense of purpose, reinforced by the pride of my family and the meaningful impact of our work.

Read more stories from the Chancellor's Report to the Community