Powering a Brighter Future at UEI College in Stockton

For as long as he can remember, Joseph Powers has worked.

He grew up behind the counter at his grandfather’s auto and hardware business in Stockton, where he learned how to show up on time, take care of customers, and work until the job was done.

And while those lessons carried him through a variety of jobs over the years, work in automotive, machine operation, and maintenance, it didn’t lead to the stability and future he was searching for. So, he took an inward look at his life and decided it was time to make a change.

This led to Joseph’s enrollment in the Electrician Technician program at UEI College in Stockton. And now seven months into his training, Joseph says he’s gaining the skills, confidence, and direction to build the kind of career he’s always wanted.

“UEI has been very supportive and encouraged me to reach for my goals,” he said. “The rest is history.”

A Foundation Built on Hard Work

Joseph’s work ethic traces back to those early days with his grandfather. Even before he was old enough to be on the payroll, he was working the parts counter and learning lessons that would stick with him for life.

“My grandfather always instilled in me hard work and the importance of greeting the customer,” Joseph said. “Even if we didn’t have the part, he taught me to find a way to help the customer get what they needed.”

That dedication made Joseph a dependable worker throughout his life. Even through battles with addiction, he rarely went long without a job, sometimes staying with a single employer for several years.

Despite being consistently employed, however, he began to realize he needed something more.

“I decided I needed the education to back me up,” Joseph said. “It seemed like with the jobs I had, no one wanted to train me or explain things. I thought maybe I needed to get the education myself.”

Electrical work had always been an interest of his. As a child, he remembered telling people he wanted to be an engineer when he grew up. Years later, that dream returned to the surface as he looked for a career that offered growth, stability, and a better salary.

So, when Joseph happened to see post about UEI College online, he decided to learn more about the school. His first impression of the Stockton campus made a big impact.

“When I went to visit UEI, everybody was friendly,” he said. “They explained things in a way I could understand, and they helped me figure out grants and loans. They actually wanted me to be there.”

That encouragement convinced him it was time to take the next step.

Learning by Doing at UEI College in Stockton

Seven months into the program, Joseph says that the hands-on training offered at UEI College has made all the difference in his classroom experience.

“My instructor, Erick Sandoval, is really helpful,” Joseph said. “He explains what we’re going to be doing in the lab, draws diagrams and blueprints on the board so we can visualize it, and then we get to actually practice. It makes a big difference when you can see it and then do it yourself.”

“Joseph’s dedication and hands-on approach in our Electrician Technician program exemplify the transformative power of hard work and quality training,” Mr. Sandoval Said. “At UEI College, we’re proud to support students like him as they build the skills and confidence to turn their dreams into reality.”

By combining classroom instruction with real-world practice, he feels like he’s building the confidence he needs to succeed once he graduates. For Joseph, completing the Electrician Technician program is about learning a trade, sure, but it’s also about creating a secure future.

“I’m hoping to get a stable job with a good salary, something I can grow into and become the professional I want to be,” he said.

When asked what he’d tell others considering the same path, Joseph’s advice was straightforward.

“If you’re wanting to take the next step, take the next step,” he said. “UEI has been really helpful. You just have to take the initiative.”

From his grandfather’s parts counter to the electrical lab at UEI College, Joseph has relied on determination and hard work to guide him. Today, these qualities, combined with the training and support he’s receiving at UEI, are helping him turn a lifelong interest in electrical work into a promising career path.

“Since I’ve been at UEI, I realize that I like other aspects of being an electrician technician also and that maybe I can eventually achieve my childhood dream,” Joseph said.