UEI Helped HVAC Student Choose a New Career Direction for His Family

When Dequan Carter lost his job at a warehouse distribution company, it forced him to take a hard look at where his life was headed. He’d been working steadily for years, doing what he could to provide and staying afloat. But with a 5-year-old daughter depending on him, standing still no longer felt like an option.

“I felt stuck,” Dequan said. “Like I was doing everything I could, but I wasn’t getting anywhere.”

That moment pushed him to think differently about his future. Instead of searching for another similar job, he decided to invest in a career path that could offer a new direction.

That decision led him to enroll in the HVAC program at UEI College’s Stockton campus.

Now just a couple of months away from graduating, Dequan sees that choice as a turning point, one that helped him move from uncertainty into a clearer, more purposeful direction.

A Decision Rooted in Responsibility

Before enrolling at UEI, Dequan spent nearly three years working in warehouse distribution, most recently with a company that supplied pool equipment. The job provided income, but it didn’t offer much opportunity for advancement.

When that job ended, he felt a great sense of urgency. He knew he needed to find something more sustainable for himself as well as for his child.

“Everything I do now is about my kid,” he said. “I didn’t want her growing up seeing me struggle or stay in the same place.”

At the same time, the idea of going back to school wasn’t easy to accept. Like many adult learners, Dequan had been out of the classroom for a while, and the thought of starting over came with some hesitation.

“I wasn’t sure if I could do it,” he said. “It felt overwhelming. I prayed on it. I asked God to show me what I should do.”

Around that same time, the UEI College brand started consistently showing up in his life. He’d see UEI in online searches, advertisements, and conversations. Eventually, he decided to take a closer look.

He had already been considering HVAC as a potential career path based on previous experience working along the periphery of the industry while in warehousing. What stood out about UEI was the hands-on structure of its HVAC program.

“I knew I couldn’t learn everything online,” he said. “I need to see it and actually do it.”

That approach made the decision easier. He enrolled, committed to the program, and hasn’t looked back since.

Building Confidence Through Experience

Since starting the HVAC program, Dequan said one of the biggest changes has been in how he views himself and his abilities.

“UEI gave me more than an education,” he said. “It gave me hope.”

That shift didn’t happen all at once. It came through consistent efforts like showing up to class, learning new material, and gradually building confidence through hands-on work.

“Every class, every lesson, every small win, it builds you up,” he said.

Now, nearing the end of the program, he said he feels more prepared and more focused than he has in years. The combination of classroom learning and lab work has helped him develop both the knowledge and the practical skills needed for the field.

He also credits his instructors, Timothy Avants and James Cornish, for creating an environment that balances structure with support.

“They push you to do better,” Dequan said. “If you’re behind, they’ll make sure you catch up. They don’t let you stay comfortable.”

That expectation has helped him stay disciplined and continue improving, even when the material gets challenging. It’s also helped him develop a mindset that extends beyond the classroom.

“If you stay comfortable, nothing changes,” he said. “You’ve got to step out of that.”

Looking Forward to the Next Milestone

With graduation approaching, Dequan is focused on the next phase of his career. His plan is to start working in residential HVAC, gaining experience in the field while continuing to build his skills.

He’s already connected with former coworkers who are now working in the industry, including one who owns his own company. Those relationships could open doors once he completes the program.

Long term, Dequan hopes to continue growing within the trade and eventually create opportunities not just for himself, but for his family as well.

“I want to build something solid — something my child can look at and be proud of,” he said. “I want to provide a life for my child where she feels secured, supported and inspired. I want her to grow up seeing me choose growth.”

For Dequan, enrolling at UEI was the first step in that process. It gave him structure, direction, and a way to move forward with purpose.

“With every class, every lesson, and every small win, I built confidence I didn’t realize I had lost,” he said. “I began to see myself as someone not looking to get by, but someone gaining a future rooted in structure and purpose.”