Recent High School Grad Finds Career Path in UEI Electrician Tech Program

Anthony Jimenez thought he had a plan. He graduated high school in 2024 expecting to step straight into the workforce—apply for jobs, land something steady, and start building toward independence.

Instead, applications went unanswered. Weeks turned into months, and the year stretched on without much progress.

“It was a pretty rough year,” Anthony said. “I just wasn’t getting accepted for any jobs.”

That period of uncertainty forced him to rethink his original plan. He didn’t want to just drift from job to job; he wanted a career. He realized he would require specialized training to help him stand out in a competitive market.

After researching trade schools and career colleges, he found UEI College in Huntington Park. The Electrician Technician program caught his eye, and within weeks, he was enrolled and working toward a path that is much more defined than it was just a year ago.

Finding Direction After Graduation

Like many recent high school graduates, Anthony assumed the transition to full-time work would be straightforward.

“I thought I had everything planned out,” he said. “I thought, ‘A month from now, I’ll get a job.’ When that didn’t happen, I realized I might have to go back and study.”

Traditional college never felt like the right fit, but trade school felt practical. He had heard that when traditional job markets are tight, learning a trade can open new doors.

A TikTok video eventually led him to UEI’s website, where the prospect of graduating in just 10 months immediately appealed to him. “That made me interested,” Anthony said. “I really wanted a career that fast.”

The hybrid schedule—two days online and two days in the lab—fit his lifestyle. While he initially explored HVAC, he ultimately chose the Electrician Technician program. “I personally like troubleshooting,” he said. “And electrical is really hands-on. I could see myself doing it for the rest of my life.”

Learning the Trade, Building Confidence

Now several modules into the program, Anthony says the experience has changed his perspective on education.

“I used to dislike school,” he admitted. “I felt like some of the work wasn’t going to help me in life.”

At UEI, the connection between the classroom and the real world is clear. Each module builds toward a specific skill used in the field, and the hands-on lab days have been especially motivating.

“I like being in the bays, working on wall mounts, and doing pipe bending,” he said. “That’s what makes me excited to come in.”

Anthony credits his instructors for helping him gain technical knowledge. His first instructor, Martin Jimenez, introduced him to fundamentals like pipe bending, wiring, making connections, and understanding color codes and safety.

“I didn’t know anything about electrical when I started,” Anthony said. “He pretty much taught me everything from the start.”

As he progressed, instructors Richard Valdez and Gilbert Medina reinforced those lessons, emphasizing organization and the importance of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

“They show us what we did wrong, how to fix it, and what to do next time,” Anthony said. “They give us little tricks and hacks that really help.”

Turning Rejection into a Career

Anthony is already thinking well beyond graduation. In the short term, he hopes to secure an entry-level role as an apprentice and work his way up to journeyman within a few years.

“I would love to be a journeyman in the next three years,” he said. “And maybe be a contractor one day and have my own business.”

He sees this career as a steppingstone toward independence—buying his first car and eventually getting his own home. More than anything, he wants to give back to his family for their support.

“They’ve done a lot for me,” he said. “I want to do good things throughout my electrical career.”

Reflecting on the past year, Anthony believes choosing trade school was the right move at the right time. He’s proud to have turned a season of rejection into a positive trajectory.

“Going back to school was the best option for me,” he said. “It’s never too late to start. As long as you put your effort into it and make sacrifices, it’ll be worth it in the end.”