Army Veteran Finds New Purpose Through HVAC Training at UEI College

Javier Fernandez knew his way around mechanical equipment long before stepping into an HVAC classroom.

During eight years of service in the U.S. Army, he worked as a mechanic on a wide range of equipment. After leaving active duty, he continued maintaining and repairing everything from generators to wheeled and tracked vehicles.

Most recently, he spent three years as a heavy equipment technician, repairing semitrucks, trailers and pneumatic and hydraulic systems.

It was steady work that allowed him to put his mechanical experience to use. But after years in the field, Javier was ready for a new challenge.

“I needed a change,” he said. “I needed to focus on something else and see what I’m capable of doing with my background, having the discipline and the mechanical knowledge.”

That desire for something different eventually led him to the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program at UEI College in Reseda.

Now, eight months into his training and approaching graduation, Javier is preparing to apply his mechanical expertise to a new career. Along the way, he’s also discovered a passion for mentoring other students through his role as a UEI Ambassador.

Taking His Mechanical Skills in a New Direction

Javier served on active duty in the Army from 2004 to 2012, including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq and a humanitarian assistance tour in Honduras.

His military service took him around the world and introduced him to mechanical work, providing a foundation of technical skills and discipline that continued to serve him throughout his civilian career.

After years of working with heavy equipment, however, Javier began exploring opportunities to take his experience in a different direction.

He considered three career paths: electrical work, nursing and HVAC. Ultimately, he chose HVAC because it would allow him to build on his mechanical background while developing skills in several different areas, including electrical systems.

“It’s multiple things,” Javier said. “And I like to be hands-on, so I figured it would be the right track to follow.”

Javier’s path to UEI College wasn’t entirely planned.

He initially scheduled a visit to another school, but after arriving early and waiting approximately 25 minutes without being seen, he decided to leave. UEI was next on his list.

When he visited the Reseda campus, the emphasis on hands-on training immediately appealed to him. Having spent much of his career learning by working directly with equipment, Javier wanted an educational experience that would allow him to do the same.

“It felt like it would be a great fit,” he said. “I think that really, UEI found me.”

Once enrolled, Javier made a conscious decision to prioritize his education. For approximately the first seven months of the program, he chose not to work so he could concentrate on his studies. Although he has since taken a part-time job, completing his training remains his primary focus.

Still, returning to the classroom after years in the workforce required some adjustment.

“It was more of a test to see if it was an obstacle I was going to overcome,” he said.

Javier credits his instructors with helping him navigate that transition and develop confidence in his abilities.

He recalls the dedication and attention of instructor Seyed Mahmoudi during the introductory portion of the program. As he progressed, instructor Ruben Munoz also made an impression through his willingness to work with students individually and in groups whenever they needed additional guidance.

With each new skill he mastered, Javier became more confident in his ability to succeed in the HVAC field.

“At first, I was kind of skeptical,” he said. “Now, with the basics and the knowledge that they have provided for me, I feel more confident going into the field and being able to troubleshoot and diagnose a piece of equipment that’s not working.”

Passing Along What He’s Learned

Javier’s experience at UEI has been about more than gaining technical skills and preparing for a new career.

He was selected to serve as a UEI Ambassador, a role that has given him the opportunity to mentor fellow students and share lessons from his military service, professional experience and educational journey.

For Javier, the responsibility is especially meaningful because he recognizes that some students are still discovering what they want from their education and future careers.

He encourages them to think beyond their next class or module and consider where they hope to be several years from now.

“Being an ambassador helps me try to guide them in the right path and try to figure out where they want to be three years from now, five years from now,” he said.

Javier draws on the discipline he developed in the Army and the lessons he’s learned throughout his career to help other students understand the importance of setting goals, staying focused and continuing to develop their skills.

That commitment to helping others has also begun shaping his own long-term ambitions.

Javier recently graduated and hopes to join a company where he can continue learning and developing his expertise, preferably in an environment that values military service and family.

Eventually, he would like to establish his own HVAC business.

But his vision extends beyond becoming a business owner. Javier hopes to create opportunities for others who are entering the trade, much as he’s been able to support fellow students through his role as a UEI Ambassador.

For someone who has spent much of his life developing technical knowledge and learning from experience, Javier believes that sharing what he’s learned is just as important as acquiring new skills.

It’s a philosophy he hopes to carry with him throughout his career.

“If there’s any knowledge that you grow or you gain in the process, don’t be afraid to pass it on to the next person,” Javier said. “Having all that knowledge and not helping other people out in the process, it’s just a waste of knowledge that somebody else could learn.”