UEI Phoenix HVAC Student and Mom Takes Her Own Career Advice

When Heather Plumlee sat down to talk with her teenage son about his future, she didn’t expect the conversation to have such an impact on her own life.

Her son wasn’t feeling motivated or inspired by high school and was struggling to imagine what college might look like. Heather, a single mom of three who works as a full-time dispatcher for a Pheonix-area locksmith, reminded him that traditional college wasn’t the only path to success.

“I kept telling him how valuable trade schools are right now,” she said. “There’s such a shortage of technicians and so many people retiring in the next 10 years.”

And the more she encouraged her son to consider learning a trade, the more she realized she needed to take her own advice.

“I thought, ‘Wait a second. This could also relate to me, too!” Heather said.

That moment of self-reflection turned into a new chapter for Heather — one driven by faith, determination, and the desire to set an example for her kids.

Today, she’s thriving as a student in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program at UEI College’s Phoenix campus. There, she’s balancing work and motherhood while training for a new career.

UEI Phoenix Checked All the Boxes

For Heather, UEI’s hybrid HVAC program checked every box she was going to need to be a successful student: hands-on training, proximity to her home, and a flexible schedule. So, from her first day on the Phoenix campus, Heather knew she’d made the right decision.

“I love that we get to work on real equipment,” she said. “If you break something, that’s OK. That’s how you learn. It gives you so much real-world experience before you ever go out into the field.”

The program’s instructors, she added, do an outstanding job at keeping students motivated and confident.

“All the instructors I’ve had have been amazing,” Heather said. “They make sure everyone is really learning and understanding. Ivan Rodriguez, for one, still works in HVAC during the summers, so he’s able to teach us exactly what we’ll run into in the field. He’s been such a great resource.”

While she enjoys learning about all aspects of HVAC, Heather discovered a particular passion for refrigeration — not just the way it works, but the universal demand we have for keeping items cool and frozen.

“In Arizona, no one can live without cooling. But refrigeration goes even further,” she said. “Every grocery store, restaurant, and data center needs someone to maintain their systems, so I love that it opens up so many possibilities.”

With plans to relocate one day, perhaps to a cooler climate, this training and knowledge will make her valuable wherever she lands.

“No matter where you go, there’s a grocery store or a fast-food restaurant that needs refrigeration,” she said. “Having that kind of stability would feel really good.”

Balancing Family, Work, and School

At the Phoenix campus, Heather said she’s one of only a couple of women currently taking the HVAC program. And she takes pride in that and the message it sends to her children.

“Not only am I a woman, but I’m also in my late thirties,” she said. “That knocks down two stereotypes, age and gender. I want my kids to see that it’s never too late to start something new.”

As a full-time worker and a single mom, Heather says her days are packed. But, she finds conquering this challenge to be worth the sacrifice and effort.

“You have to have dedication,” she said. “It’s a lot to put on your plate, but it’s so worth it, especially with how supportive everyone is here.”

This support goes beyond the classroom. Heather credits the UEI Career Services staff and her student advisor for helping her navigate everything from scheduling to financial aid.

Now on track to graduate in February, and having made the President’s List every month, Heather is proof that it’s never too late to follow your own advice — even if you’re starting from scratch.

“To anyone thinking about it, I’d say just do it,” she said. “When I started, I didn’t even know what a channel lock was, and that’s one of the most basic tools. You don’t have to know anything. They’ll teach you everything you need to know.”

Beyond career growth, her decision to return to school was about rewriting her story and showing her children the power of perseverance.

“I wanted to demonstrate the importance of lifelong learning and dedication,” she said. “I wanted to inspire my kids to chase their dreams and see that it’s possible to build a better future no matter what stage of life you’re in.”