Confidence Through Continual Learning: HVAC Student Builds a Stronger Future at UEI

For Jojo Dela Cruz, learning has never been about comfort. Instead, it’s about stepping into bigger rooms and trusting that growth comes from challenge.

That belief was tested early in his career, when his work in hotel maintenance exposed him to the complex, behind-the-scenes systems that keep massive buildings running. While he was eager to understand these systems, he felt he was not yet fully prepared to master them.

“I saw a lot of challenges,” Jojo said. “Dealing with boilers, cooling systems, refrigeration—it made me ask myself where I could really learn HVAC the right way.”

Today, Jojo Dela Cruz is recent graduate of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) at UEI College in Garden Grove. He graduated with honors and gained the skills will help him advance in the hospitality industry.

Making a Career Investment

Before enrolling at UEI, Jojo worked in maintenance at a hotel for two years. His role eventually led him to an opportunity at a larger resort, where the scale of the operation introduced a new level of complexity.

With more than 1,600 rooms and massive boiler, cooling, and refrigeration systems, the job quickly showed him how much more there was to learn. And while he was eager to get more training, he admits to feeling some doubt, especially when considering the cost of taking classes.

Then he discovered UEI College. And after visiting the Garden Grove campus, meeting the staff, and learning about a reasonable payment plan, Jojo made the decision to invest in himself.

“I was really, really eager to learn,” he said. “The campus was awesome, and everyone was respectful and kind. I felt supported right away.”

At UEI, Jojo said he found exactly what he was looking for: structured, hands-on training that expanded his existing knowledge and filled important gaps in previous training. While he already had some experience with HVAC systems, the program helped him understand the fundamentals at a deeper level — from identifying the four major components of HVAC systems to understanding their purpose, processes, and applications.

“They walked me through the right process,” Jojo said. “What I knew before was developed more. I’m still mastering it, but I’m on track.”

He credits much of that progress to UEI’s supportive learning environment and instructors who encourage students to ask tough questions. In particular, Jojo praises his instructor, Samuel Ayala, for his mentorship.

“He’s very patient, even when all of us are asking questions — sometimes the same ones,” Jojo said. “He really wants all the students to learn. He’s very diligent as our instructor and mentor.”

The Power for Mindful Dedication

Jojo added that UEI provided something that, to him, was just as valuable as technical knowledge: a safe place to learn from mistakes.

“At school, it’s okay to make mistakes,” he said. “We experiment, and if we’re wrong, we correct it. That’s how we grow. It’s not good to make mistakes on the job, but school is where you learn how to avoid them.”

Jojo often shared his mindset with classmates, emphasizing the power of positive thinking.

“Your thoughts become your beliefs, your beliefs become your behavior, your behavior becomes your habits, and your habits shape your character,” he said. “And that determines how far you go.”

Back at the resort where he works, his progress hasn’t gone unnoticed. His director has already recognized his potential and encouraged him to continue learning, with plans for future advancement.

Jojo hopes to grow within the hospitality industry, though he remains open to new opportunities within the maintenance field. So long as he’s moving forward, he’ll be happy and confident in whatever the future holds.

“Life is continuous learning,” Jojo said. “It doesn’t matter how old you are. It all depends on how you turn ideas into progress.”