Finding His Passion; Developing His Talent

Discovering a passion in your career is a dream many Americans aspire to achieve. A 2023 Forbes article found that only 20 percent of Americans say they have a passion for what they do each day. Count Victor Lopez, a Tulsa Tech Photography graduate, among that fortunate few. He found his passion during a challenging time.

"COVID was when I first picked up a camera. It was 2020 and we were at home, and I started taking pictures of my family and my dog," he recalled. "I thought it was cool, but I didn’t think it could be a career."

Once back in school, Lopez discovered the Photography program at Tulsa Tech and decided to give it a try.

“You can learn a lot by reading. At Tulsa Tech you get to learn all about how to make the camera work by actually doing,” he said. “The hands-on learning I had is so different than trying to figure it out on YouTube or reading it in a book.”

Fast forward a few years, and you can now see his work is featured in the Tulsa World.

Lopez was one of a handful of college students chosen to intern at the paper this summer. When he went for the interview, he thought it was more of a practice interview, since he was only finishing his freshman year of college.

“One of my instructors told me about it and encouraged me to apply," he explained. "Ms. (Brandi) Simons had said even if I didn’t get it, the interview would be a good way to see how newspapers work. But I got the internship, and it is crazy for me. I didn’t believe it until I saw that first picture printed."

Lopez has not forgotten the valuable lessons learned at Tulsa Tech. Beyond honing his skills, he has formed lasting connections with his former instructors.

"Ms. Simons and Ms. (Kelsey) Reed are the best instructors," Lopez said with a smile. "No matter the question or item I needed help with, they were always there. Now, it’s so cool I get to work alongside Ms. Simons' husband at the paper."

With three years of college ahead, Lopez has ambitious plans for future internships.

"Since I am bilingual, the staff has encouraged me to look at the Dallas Morning News or the San Diego Union," he shared. “I want to continue to build my experience and get better at capturing every moment.”

While he sets his sights on some of the biggest news brands in America, he knows he has his Tulsa Tech team in his corner.

“One day I hope to work for the Los Angeles Times or the Washington Post," he said. "I know if I am willing to put in the work, Ms. Simons and Ms. Reed are there supporting me. They want to see me reach my goals and capture the moments that make life special.”