MC alum looks forward to engineering careerMay 11, 2023

In 2015, Edwin Sigala was working as a sales rep for a local car dealership.

“It was a tough job,” Sigala said.  “I’m not cut out to be in sales.  I went to a job fair to see what else was out there.  Everything that interested me required a college degree.  That’s when I decided it was time to enroll at Midland College.”

Sigala started taking classes at Midland College (MC) in January of 2016.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I’ve always been good with numbers and like to solve problems,” he said.  “The very first semester I took an Algebra class, and the professor Michael Dixon was awesome.  I think that class was what convinced me to become an engineer.”

Dr. Dixon is now vice president of Student Services at MC and still remembers Sigala:  “He was one of the best students I have ever had the joy of teaching.  In every class, Edwin performed at the highest level.  Many students in his classes accused him of ‘blowing the curve.’  He never took shortcuts and wanted to learn the topic thoroughly.”

During his second semester at Midland College, Sigala was awarded the Bill Pace Cogdell Scholarship, which paid full tuition, fees and books during the time he was enrolled in MC courses.  In 2018, when he transferred to the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), the scholarship continued to pay for his educational expenses.    

Even after transferring to UTPB, Sigala kept his affiliation with MC as a part-time tutor in the Math Lab.

Dixon said that he was an asset in the Math Lab:  “As good a student as Edwin was, he is an even better person.  He naturally helps and thinks of others in all situations.  This genuine ability to care for and help others, coupled with his excellent math skills made him a great tutor.”  

This past December, Sigala graduated from UTPB with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, and in July he will start employment with SLB (formerly Schlumberger) in Midland.  

“I was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico and never dreamed that I would have a job like this,” Sigala said.  “I’m the first person in my family to get a college degree.  I will always be thankful to Midland College for introducing me to a career where I could use my affinity and talents in math and problem solving.”

In a letter to the Bill Pace Cogdell trustees, Sigala wrote, “I will forever be thankful to you for considering me to be a recipient of the Bill Pace Cogdell Scholarship, since it allowed me to focus on my classes instead of having to worry about tuition.  As a result, I graduated from UTPB with Latin Honors and a GPA of 3.9.”

“While I am not surprised, I am so pleased that Edwin accepted a position with SLB as a mechanical engineer,” Dixon said.  “He has a great work ethic, and I’m sure will excel in his future professional endeavors.”

Sigala has led the way for his younger sister Mariana and encouraged her to also go to college.  She will graduate from Legacy High School in May and plans to attend Midland College where she hopes to enroll in the college’s new Radiography Technician program.  

In addition to embarking on a new career, Sigala has another monumental life event about to happen.  He and his fiancée Ara Ramirez plan to be married soon.