UEI Chula Vista Student Finds Career Buzz in HVAC
Andrew Vasquez had never been stung by a bee until he became a beekeeper. And while bee stings weren’t the most pleasant part of the job, they were nothing compared to the summer heat in California’s Imperial Valley.
“Down here in the summer, it gets like 120 degrees,” Andrew said. “With the whole beekeeper’s jumpsuit on, we’d pull honey, and those bee boxes with the honey can weigh up to 70 to 80 pounds. Doing that all day was kind of gnarly.”
It’s no wonder Andrew was drawn to a career that’s main role in Southern California is to keep people cool and comfortable.
Today, Andrew is a student in the HVAC program at UEI College’s Chula Vista campus. After years of physically demanding jobs in contracting, roofing, scaffolding, and beekeeping, he made the decision to pursue a career path that would challenge him technically, offer opportunities for growth, and allow him to build a better future for his wife and kids.
“I did beekeeping for about three years,” he said. “It was exciting in some ways — you could work at your own pace, you got to travel north when it was cooler — but it was also extremely hard work. It’s not something most people would want to do. That kind of job makes you think about what you really want for your future.”
For Andrew, the answer was clear. He wanted a career based on technical skills — where he could keep learning and build a future for himself and his family. HVAC was the answer, he thought, having gotten a taste of it while helping his uncle with contracting work.
“I’ve always liked HVAC,” he said. “It’s got a little bit of everything — some electrical work, hands-on installation, problem solving. Compared to the other jobs I had, it was something I could see myself doing long-term. It’s hard work, but it’s more technical. It gives you room to grow.”
The fact that UEI College offered an HVAC program helped seal the decision.
“I went to the campus, got the information, took the tour, and I fell in love with it,” Andrew said. “I thought, this is for me … for sure.”
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HVAC Training That’s Hands-On
With graduation coming soon, Andrew said the HVAC program has exceeded his expectations. He credits his instructors and classmates with making the learning process engaging and motivating.
“The interaction with the instructors and the students — that’s what I really like,” he said. “I thought it was going to be different, but once I got there, people were on the same page and taking it seriously. The camaraderie in the labs is awesome. You learn not only from instructors but from other students, too.”
Two instructors in particular stand out: Roman Sanchez and Dominique Smalls.
“I learned a lot from those two for sure Andrew said. “They taught at levels I could understand clearly. They were hands-on, and you can tell they really know what they’re doing. I have a lot of respect for them.”
Through the program, Andrew has gained not only technical skills but also personal growth.
“UEI has shaped my life in a drastic way,” he said. “It’s taught me leadership, teamwork, and how to work well with others to get the job done. I didn’t have certain goals before, but now I do. I’m ready to build my career in HVAC.”
Looking Toward a Long Future in HVAC
At 39 years old, Andrew says he’s more motivated than ever to create a better future for himself and his family. HVAC offers the chance to earn a stable income while working in a field he genuinely enjoys.
“I definitely want to be more involved in my family’s life rather than working jobs I wasn’t really for,” he said. “HVAC is a job I actually like. That inspires me to keep going and build a future I’m proud of.”
And living in the San Diego area, Andrew also knows his skills will always be in demand.
“HVAC is huge here,” he said. “It’ll help me provide for my family.”
As he strives toward this career path, Andrew remains quick to point out the ways UEI continues to contribute to his future, both through education and support.
“It’s just a great experience,” he said. “The leadership from the instructors, the way students step up to help each other, the hands-on learning — it’s a really great place to build yourself in a trade. If it’s something you really enjoy doing, whether it’s HVAC or electrical, UEI is definitely the place to do it. Just stick with it.”
