Jose Rodriguez always had plans for his life, but without the right motivation, he struggled to make them happen.
“Fresh out of high school, I was going to go to school for welding,” he said. “But the program was far away, and I wasn’t driving at the time. It didn’t really fit into my schedule, so I gave up the hope of going to college for that time.”
Eventually, life caught up to him. A year after graduating high school, Jose found himself with no job, no driver’s license, and no home. He knew he didn’t have the time or patience for a four-year degree, but he also wanted more for his life than a fast-food job. That’s when he discovered UEI College in Reseda.
“I started doing my research for schools around me and landed on UEI,” he explained. “I knew they didn’t offer welding at the Reseda campus, but they told me about HVAC. I was still iffy. I doubted myself. I didn’t know if I could make it to school with gas, work hours, all those things—but I knew they had confidence in me.”
Jose enrolled in UEI’s HVAC program and never looked back. “I didn’t see myself moving that fast, but I’m glad I did,” he said. “I’m a month away from graduating, and time has gone by super fast.”
For Jose, the program wasn’t just about learning a trade—it was about building confidence and community. He had finished high school through an online program, where he didn’t have many chances to connect with other students. UEI pushed him out of his comfort zone, he said.
“Here, we have to talk and engage with one another, work in groups, and help each other,” he said. “It was definitely a shift.”
Despite the challenges, he stayed committed. “The refrigeration cycle made me overthink a lot within the first few weeks,” he said. “I thought, ‘Am I really going to be able to do this?’ I just kept showing up and giving it my all—just knowing the end would be a different outcome.”
The support of his instructors and classmates made all the difference. “With Mr. Camerino, I don’t look at him as a teacher but more as a friend,” he said. “I’ve gotten to know my classmates well. It doesn’t feel like going to school—it feels like seeing my friends. Surrounding myself with people who have the same goal as me is really nice.”
While the challenges haven’t stopped for Jose, he’s excited for what’s ahead. He’s preparing for his EPA exam and ready to start applying for jobs.
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“Sometimes HVAC gets hard, but it’s fun—it’s hands-on,” he said. “I’m learning some electrical, some plumbing, heating and ventilation of course. It’s not just one subject. There’s always going to be more to learn, and that makes me excited about the future.”
Most importantly, Jose has learned to believe in himself. “It’s shown me how disciplined I can actually be. I may not know it all, but in the next year or two I’ll definitely be winning and hopefully have more than I could ever ask for,” he said. “It’s shown me how much I can truly overcome and how much I need to believe in myself.”
Jose’s story is proof that no matter where you come from, you can build a brighter future with the right training and support. For him, UEI College’s HVAC program was more than an education—it was a turning point.
“I believe everything happens for a reason. Without things happening the way they did, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
He also found a new source of motivation. “I’ve known my girlfriend for about a year. She told me I couldn’t meet her parents until I had my license. I ended up getting my license, and during that time I also enrolled in school,” he said. “Ever since she came into my life, it’s been a change. I know I’m doing it for me, but now it’s different because I’m also doing it for her. Everything I’ve done has been for the better.”
