From Hospitality to Healthcare at UEI in Oceanside
At the beginning of 2025, Brett Llevado was working as a server at a hotel in downtown Oceanside, but like many who spend years in retail and hospitality, he was ready for something more.
“I didn’t just need a job — I needed a career,” Brett recalled.
That turning point came unexpectedly during a shift at the hotel.
“One day while I was serving, I ended up serving a chiropractor and his team. I didn’t know it at the time, but they sort of scouted me,” he said. “They were celebrating one of their staff’s birthdays and by the end of the interaction they were like, ‘We want to hire you.’”
That surprising encounter opened Brett’s eyes to new possibilities. He did a soft interview for the position but ultimately decided more training would benefit him in the long run.
“That day was what inspired me to come back to UEI College,” he said. “I didn’t want to go to community college, but I needed something bigger. I have some experience, but nothing substantial enough for employers to hire. I needed a program that was bigger than a couple of months but shorter than a full degree. I decided to come to UEI for Medical Office Specialist because it was the closest program to what I was looking to get into.”
With more than 10 years of experience in retail and five years in management, Brett was already skilled at working with people, but UEI helped him channel those strengths into a growing healthcare career.
“I’ve gone to some college before but I wasn’t really smart about it and racked up a little bit of debt,” he said. “This time I wanted to make sure when I go to school I’ll use it. It’s something I want to do for the rest of my life. Years ago, I looked into the medical field but thought maybe it wasn’t for me. There were a lot of factors that turned me off. Now, going through this program, I realize I may not be built for drawing blood or doing vitals, but I’m more built for admin and working on computers. I like that.”
What made UEI especially appealing was the short-term program that he could complete in as few as 10 months. “It was really cool to learn so much and still finish before the end of the year — that sounded great!”
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Soon, Brett found himself not only excelling in the classroom but also becoming a Student Ambassador and joining the federal work-study program. His natural leadership skills shone through.
“I just love talking to people,” he said. “I love getting to hear people’s stories and what they are here for. It’s cool to hear the different things that brought people to UEI and how I can help them as an ambassador. It’s brought me back to my days as a manager.”
Brett’s journey has also come full circle. The chiropractor who first encouraged him to pursue this path allowed Brett to do his externship at that clinic. “I’m looking forward to my externship and working at the office that started me on this journey,” he said. “I’m looking forward to telling people, looking back, how UEI helped me with my career.”
“Brett has been an outstanding student who leads by example. His positive attitude, natural leadership, and dedication to growth make him a role model for his peers,” said Instructor Rito Yanez. “He embraces challenges as opportunities to improve, and I am confident that his commitment and professionalism will carry him far in his healthcare career.”
Along the way, he’s gained valuable lessons in patience, time management, and self-awareness.
“What I love is I’ve learned about my flaws and being able to make them into strengths. Sometimes I can get impatient. I used to be too much of a perfectionist, but now I’ve learned to turn that into balance.”
For Brett, UEI has been more than a program — it’s been a perspective shift.
“It’s a great place to go and get your foot into a career, especially if you are not interested in a two- to four-year program,” he said. “If you’re looking for something more immediate, this is a good place to go. Later on, if you decide to go further, you can. This will be a great place to get the credit for it.”
Brett encourages others, no matter their age or background, to take that leap.
“The program is for all ages. I would encourage people, even those not fresh out of high school, to look into it. You don’t have to feel bad about it. I hear a lot from people my age and older who are embarrassed to come back to school, but it’s never too late. If you’re breathing, it’s not too late.”
