Jose Castro

Jose Castro is a first-generation business administration major from Cicero, IL

Hometown: Cicero, IL

High School: Morton East High School

Year: Expected graduation: 2026

Minors: Marketing and business analytics

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
Growing up, I worked with many different people at a local flea market selling fruits and vegetables, jewelry, jeans and blankets. I enjoyed the interaction I received from customers, which has helped build my friendly customer-service skills. Other than that, I love sales and the art of how businesses use different strategies to attract customers and grow. I do not have a specific career in mind yet, but I would love to be in the business environment, which is why I'm majoring in business administration with a minor in marketing and business analytics.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is business administration with a minor in marketing and business analytics. Before coming to college, I was active duty in the Army as a human resource specialist. I absolutely loved my career because I was able to help other soldiers with promotion, finance, awards and school packets, and keep my company's statistics on soldier readiness up to date. I believe with all the skills I've learned in my career in the Army, I will be able to positively contribute in a business career after graduation.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
One thing I found pleasantly surprising about NIU is how easy it was to adapt and how convenient everything was. There are buses that take you across campus for class, which — with the help of the app — enables students without vehicles to arrive on time for class. The dining halls near the dorm rooms made it so easy to save money and have a great meal between classes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I don't have a hard time making friends on campus. I meet friends through classes by working on projects together or through mutual friends. The best way to find friends is by joining the many student organizations around campus. I joined the Management and Business Administration Student Advisory Board, and I have met some of the best people there. We all grew closer together as we planned events and fundraisers and went out to eat together.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am involved in the Management and Business Administration Student Advisory Board and Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc. I participated in the mentoring program hosted by the advisory board as both a mentee and mentor in two separate semesters, and it had a positive impact on my experience as a Huskie. I was able to learn a lot about the College of Business, how to perfect a resume and what organizations are available to join. The following semester, I signed up as a mentor and was able to pass the knowledge I learned to my mentee to help her have a positive experience at NIU.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The management department has always been a great resource for me. The faculty there are extremely friendly and helpful toward students when it comes to their academic success. They have helped me with my resume and deciding what classes to take. They also email students about events we should attend in order to get involved around campus.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
One of my favorite professors is Karah Osterberg. I had her for OMIS 259 and UBUS 223. She is excellent at teaching in a way that helps student grasp information and prepare for upcoming exams. Her classroom setup for the semester is planned out perfectly, and the notes she provides make learning so much easier, especially for a student who struggles in math. Her teaching style motivates students to try their best to receive a high grade.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Attending class is crucial to academic success. It is easy to fall victim to ditching classes and not doing homework since you are not being micromanaged. I attend every class because every day you will learn something new that may show up on an exam. I take my grades and GPA very seriously, and I will always strive to do my best in every class. It starts with showing up to all your classes and taking notes.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is Founders Memorial Library. The library is the one true place you can get homework done efficiently. Sometimes there will be distractions at home such as television, having a comfy bed or talking to your roommates. Once I arrive at the library, all distractions seem to go away, and you get a sense of wanting to get your homework done. There are numerous spots in the library where you can work on group projects with multiple people; it does not have to be in a quiet area in the library.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
My biggest advice is to try different schools. Look at the culture and pride the school has to offer. Research if the school has plenty of organizations to join as a freshman. You want to make sure you attend a school that you will be proud to say you go to for four years. Definitely ask around for other students' opinions and thoughts about their experience on campus. One thing I heard about NIU is that it offers many opportunities and events on campus for students to gain an exciting experience, such as the Week of Welcome at the beginning of the school year. This helps increase a sense of pride for brand-new students and will be a memorable experience for the next four years.

Why is a college education important to you?
College is important to me because it is a way to improve as a person. I am in college for my parents, mainly. I want to show them that they raised a child who will put in the hard work to make them proud. In college, you develop skills such as communication, networking, leadership and critical thinking. You not only learn about the material you need for your career, but you also learn a lot about yourself and develop as a person.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I always have a schedule on my phone to plan out social events, homework, organization meetings and time for myself. Writing things in a planner has helped me be organized and not become overwhelmed with all the schoolwork. I stay away from things that will push my schedule back, such as watching movies or sometimes sleep. I will only lose sleep if I need to squeeze in a few hours of homework, other than that I manage to be able to fit everything in and arrive at events and meetings on time.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
My friends and advisors are a great resource to find events around campus, especially advisors who send emails about events happening at the College of Business. Social media is a great tool as well. You can follow organizations on social media in order to receive information about events they are hosting around campus such as fundraisers, meeting faculty or even news about recruitment.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
When I am exhausted from schoolwork, I either like to lay down and close my eyes or go out for a drive and get a smoothie or some food to refuel the brain. It is important to not stress out because it can negatively impact your mental health. I strive to put my health first and take care of myself because I want my college experience to be positive, not full of negative and stressful thoughts. As long as I keep a "can-do" mindset, I can accomplish anything without overwhelming myself.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I work in the Army Reserves as a human resource specialist, just like my old career when I was active duty. I help soldiers get processed into the unit and prepare promotion, award and finance packets for other soldiers. I love helping other soldiers have a better Army experience. I was recently promoted to sergeant and will take on more responsibilities and oversee more data for the unit. During my free time, I love to relax and watch movies when I finish my assignments. I love to eat out and try new restaurants. Soccer is another passion of mine, and I’m always looking for a chance to play soccer with friends at the park.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
I decided to go to college after my four-year contract ended for active duty in the Army. I decided it was my best option because I have always wanted to advance my education since high school. I have always tried to be the best in everything I do, and there is no better way than to attend college. I plan to advance my career from human resource specialist to something bigger that I can utilize for a huge company. The high school version of myself would have been proud of the steps I have taken, from joining the Army to attending college, and I’m becoming a better person every step of the way.