For Jessy Ochoa, the dream of becoming a certified electrician technician had always been there—but finding the right time to pursue it wasn’t easy.
He had worked in electrical for three years, but when the pandemic hit, it impacted his job. With little experience under his belt, Jessy switched to pest control, where he worked for six years. Still, his passion for electrical work never went away.
“God just opened the doors for me, and now I’m here,” Jessy said. “I always wanted to do it the right way—to become certified—and one day I want to run my own business.”
With encouragement from his church mentor and business partner, Jessy enrolled in the Electrical Technician program at UEI College in Reseda.
Returning to school after years away wasn’t easy. Jessy admitted that basic math and studying again felt nerve-wracking at first—but he quickly realized he wasn’t alone.
“It’s cool because people are coming from all walks of life—different ages, backgrounds, and reasons for being here,” he said. “Some are changing careers, others just want to educate themselves. You get to meet all kinds of people.”
What surprised Jessy most was how much he already recognized from his time on job sites. Now, though, he was learning the technical terms and the why behind the work.
“There were things I had seen before but never knew what they were called,” he said. “At UEI, you get the book knowledge plus the hands-on training. The hands-on is great, and it makes everything click.”
Jessy has been in the program for just a few months, but he’s already gained more than technical skills. He’s learned the importance of persistence, patience, and asking questions—over and over if necessary.
“In the real world, some people aren’t patient when you ask the same question again. But here, the instructors encourage it,” he said. “That’s how I learn—by asking until I get it.”
His advice to anyone considering the program? Show up and stick with it.
“Don’t miss class. Just do what you have to do. You’re not going to learn everything right away—it takes time and practice. But if you’re persistent, you’ll get it.”
At 30 years old, Jessy is working hard to build a career he’s proud of, and his faith keeps him grounded.
“I’m a big believer in God,” he said. “That’s my foundation—what motivates me to keep going. My goal is to become a contractor one day, and I know this program is helping me take the right steps.”
Jessy is quick to point out the satisfaction that comes with working in the trades.
“A lot of people are afraid of electricity, but it’s a respectful field,” he said. “When you work with your hands and see the results, it’s rewarding. You can pass by a building and know you were a part of it. That’s cool.”
With persistence, faith, and the training he’s gaining at UEI, Jessy is well on his way to making his dream of becoming a licensed electrician a reality.
“The bottom line is—go for it,” he said. “You won’t know if you like it until you try. And once you go for it, show up. Be open to it, ask questions, and don’t give up. It’s worth it.”
