HVAC Program Paves the Way for Garden Grove Student’s Future
Nick Gladden always had an interest in the opportunities within the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) field, but when the company he worked for as an installer came under new ownership, he saw it as the perfect chance to take his career to the next level.
“I wanted more knowledge in the field, and to become a well-rounded technician and installer,” Nick shared.
Nick had spent years working for an HVAC installation company, a job that involved carrying and installing heavy ductwork into commercial buildings—a physically demanding role. When the company transitioned to new ownership after his boss retired, Nick was introduced to the service technician side of HVAC. Unlike installation, service technicians perform repairs and maintenance, opening doors for career advancement.
Around this same time, Nick and his fiancée set a wedding date and began thinking about starting a family. Motivated by these life changes, Nick decided it was time to reach out to UEI College in Garden Grove.
“Everything I needed, I could get from them,” he explained. “They had equipment for us to work on, a solid curriculum, and a great hands-on learning experience.”
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Nick quickly began applying what he learned in class to his job.
“The first six months, I crammed everything I could into my brain,” he said. “It’s helped me communicate better in my day-to-day work. In the past, I’d ask my boss a lot of questions, and he’d have to stop and explain things. Now, I’m spotting issues myself and stepping up. With the extra knowledge I’ve gained, I might even become a foreman within the next year.”
Nick credits his success to the mindset he brought to the program.
“For me, it was about the rest of my life. I made sure to listen to everything the instructor said and learned as much as I could,” he said. “If you want to succeed, you can’t think of it as school—you have to see it as preparation for what you’ll be doing for the rest of your life. Take it seriously, and you’ll learn great things.”
Nick graduated just a few months before his wedding and shortly before learning that he and his wife are expecting their first child. Looking ahead, he hopes to take his HVAC knowledge to the next level and eventually start his own company.
“I love cold air,” he joked. “But more than that, I love that there will always be a need for it. People will always want to be comfortable and breathe clean air. Even 60 years from now, I believe this job will still be around.”
Nick is grateful for the solid foundation UEI College provided and is excited about the road ahead.
“At UEI, I could ask the questions I needed to and start thinking about what courses I’ll need to take to keep moving forward. I’m excited about what’s next.”
