Gustavo H Ferreira Castilho
“Never let your past experiences keep you from trying a new opportunity.”
I love working with and fixing machines. I’m the friend you call when you need someone to cheer you up. I still use an iPod from 2003. I’ve struggled with self-doubt and burn out. I use machines to create medicines so that people can stay healthy. I am a biotechnician.
When you think of how medicines and vaccines are created, you might picture scientists mixing substances together or looking through microscopes. While those are important parts of the process, there are other critical steps involved behind the scenes. For instance, there are very specific machines that each have their own tasks. As a biomanufacturing technician at Pfizer, my job is to make sure those machines can do their part. Since childhood, I’ve always been fascinated with how machines work, and my job lets me combine this love with my desire to help others.
Since I was a kid, I’ve felt great satisfaction from helping others. From supporting my parents as their translator, to working as a teenager to discourage kids in my neighborhood from smoking, to volunteering in hospital settings, I’ve always looked for ways to serve my community. My current work is no exception. In the past few years, we’ve seen what a huge impact access to effective vaccines and medications has on all of us. I’m part of a team of scientists and specialists (and machines!) that are constantly working to create and test these treatments. I go into work everyday knowing the innovations I’m helping to make possible could one day help any one of us to stay healthy or heal.
I belong to a first generation immigrant family from Brazil. We speak Portuguese at home and as a child I was the main translator for my family. It was just my mom, little brother and me in the house. This meant sharing the responsibility of just about everything, from paying the bills to handling our parent-teacher conferences. Since high school, I’ve had an inclination to take care of those around me. I was really annoyed with tobacco advertisements that seemed to be attracting kids in my neighborhood. Because of this, I decided to go to Washington DC to join a campaign for tobacco-free kids. I also volunteered in different hospital settings in my city. These experiences steered me to study biology and get into healthcare. However, I always had a fascination with machines and knew I wanted to incorporate that in my future career.
College didn’t go very well for me. To save money, I had to commute 1.5 hours each way, I was taking extra classes, and I was still taking on a lot of responsibility at home. I quickly burnt out and got into a pattern of self-destructing thoughts and behavior. I knew it was time for a break to really evaluate myself and what I wanted to do. I started to lean more on my support system, which gave them a chance to help me navigate this challenging period. I realized that success isn’t always measured through academic achievement. Sometimes it’s okay to step back and reevaluate what works best for you. So, instead of going back to school, I enrolled in a work program through the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation and got this job at Pfizer. I’m excited about the work I do, combining my love of machinery with the goal of helping others. When I’m ready again, I might go back to university to finish my bachelor's degree. In the meantime, I’m focused on enjoying the unique path that I have created for myself.
Have I mentioned that I love machines and technology? If you check out my Youtube history, it’s all tech video how-to’s. I also love sci fi space stories and collecting old cameras and vinyls. It’s a bonus if the camera doesn’t work and I need to find new parts for it or fix it up. I still use an iPod from 2003 to listen to music. My friends and family would describe me as a creative person, and I’m there when they need someone to make them laugh.
I am the first person in my family to go to college, even though I haven’t finished my university degree yet.
Embrace your limits – they can help guide you towards a fulfilling life and work that fits you. Each moment is just one small part of your story and just because you don’t succeed at a particular task or effort, doesn’t mean that you won’t ultimately meet your goal. The important thing is to get to know yourself and what you want, establish your limits, and tell the people around you how they can support you along the way.
