From Military Service to Skilled Trades: One Student’s Path at UEI Ontario

When Tyler Letterman left the Marine Corps after four years of service, which including a deployment to Okinawa, Japan, he found himself at a crossroads. Like many veterans, the transition from military to civilian life was sudden, leaving him unsure of his next steps.

For a time, he worked as an instructional developer at Fort Irwin, an Army base in California’s Mojave Desert. There, he created real-world training scenarios for soldiers, sometimes even role-playing as a news reporter to put troops through the kind of unexpected interactions they might face overseas.

The work was enjoyable, Tyler said, and he thrived in the role. But deep down, he knew it wasn’t the long-term career path he wanted.

The position was stagnant with no real ladder to climb, and his goals were bigger. He wanted a career where he could continue to grow, evolve, and take care of the family he and his fiancée dreamed of building together.

“Honestly, if I was single, I probably would have stayed there,” Tyler said. “But my fiancée encouraged me to think bigger. She saw the potential in me and pushed me to go after something that would really set us up for the future.”

That encouragement led Tyler to start looking into trade schools, and UEI College quickly stood out.

A cousin of Tyler’s fiancée had gone through UEI’s Electrician Technician program and found steady work in the field of solar panels. And every time Tyler spoke with him, he praised the school for its supportive instructors, hands-on training, and the way it helped him transition into the workforce.

That impressions stuck with Tyler, so when he began exploring education and career training options, UEI remained toward the top of his list. UEI’s Ontario campus was also close to home, making it a practical and, ultimately, his final choice.

“I wanted a career, not just a job — something stable, meaningful, and something I could build on,” Tyler said. “UEI gave me a direction that I didn’t have after the military.”

Inspired by his fiancée’s brother and father, who both worked in the electrical field, Tyler first enrolled in the Electrical Technician program. As he progressed, however, he realized that combining this with HVAC would offer an even broader range of opportunities.

Many of his peers shared how much demand there was for HVAC specialists, and Tyler saw how combining both trades could make him more versatile and competitive in the job market.

“Knowing what I know from electrical, I can tie that into HVAC,” he said. “Together, they give me a strong foundation. It’s a skillset I can build a whole career on, maybe even start my own company someday.”

Instructors Who Make a Difference

One of the highlights of Tyler’s UEI journey has been the instructors, who he says bring real-world experience, encouragement, and a willingness to go above and beyond for their students.

He recalled how his first instructor, Michael Dugan, made complex topics like wiring diagrams easy to understand.

“He gave us the space to figure things out ourselves, but he was always there to support us,” Tyler said. “At one point, I was helping other students, and he’d step in and say, ‘Tyler’s got it right. Good job!’ That kind of support made a big difference.”

“Tyler stands out because of the discipline and determination he brings from his military background,” Miachael said. “He’s not only committed to mastering the skills himself, but he also lifts up his classmates by sharing what he’s learned. That kind of teamwork and leadership is exactly what makes him well-prepared for a successful career in the trades. I have no doubt he’ll excel in both electrical and HVAC and create a strong future for himself and his family.”

Other instructors provided their personal phone numbers so students could reach out for help on projects outside of class. Tyler described them as “cheat codes” for entering the trades, offering insights and advice that can only come from years of experience.

As Tyler continues in the HVAC program, his advice to future students is simple: take the training seriously.

“Sometimes people don’t,” he admitted. “But if you apply yourself every day, the knowledge will click sooner than you think. The repetition matters. That’s how you retain what you learn.”

For anyone considering HVAC specifically, Tyler points out that while it may seem overwhelming at first, it quickly becomes manageable.

“It might look difficult, but once you sit down and start understanding how things work, it gets easier,” he said. “There are opportunities everywhere, especially here in California with the heat and the cool weather. It’s definitely worth it.”

Preparing for the Future

Looking back at his time in the classroom, Tyler says he sees UEI College as more than just a school. For him, it’s been a bridge between military service and civilian success — a place where he’s gained structure, direction, and confidence in his professional future.

More importantly, it’s helping him prepare for the family he and his fiancée plan to build.

“I wanted to make sure that when we get married and have kids, they’ll be taken care of,” Tyler said. “Electrical and HVAC give me that chance. With these skills, I know I’ll always have opportunities to grow and provide for them.”

It’s the foundation of a lifelong career, he said, and registering for UEI College was the first step toward building the future he’s always envisioned.