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Josh, 32, from Jacksonville, Florida, completed the seven-month Refrigeration Technologies (RT) program at Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville in August 2025, before taking the necessary additional classes to complete the Electro-Mechanical Technologies (EMT) program in October 2025. 
Thanks for your time, Josh. What did you do in the years after high school before coming to TWS?
I’ll give you the short story… or try! It really all starts with my mom. She’s an incredibly strong woman and was a single mom for a long time. She did the best she could. I never went to traditional high school – I completed middle school, then was homeschooled for my high school years. Eventually, I got burned out and told my mom, “I’m done with this. I’ll just go get my GED.” She thought that was a great idea.
I enrolled in a GED program at FSCJ, but I ended up failing the final test – and I mean really failing it. I got discouraged and stepped away from it for a while. My first job was at Winn Dixie; I did that for two years.
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After that, the owner of a local driving school approached me and offered me a job as a state-certified driving instructor. At the time, I thought, “Okay, that doesn’t sound too bad.” I’d already been driving for years. That was late in 2016 when I started my training, and I did that job for about five years. Towards the end of that period, I also worked in the food service industry with my best friend. He’s a head chef at a restaurant; he taught me how to be a respectful prep cook.
Just a second, you didn’t need a GED to become a state-certified driving instructor?
No, surprisingly you don’t need a GED or high school diploma to be a driving instructor or even a state driving examiner. I did both. But during the COVID shutdown, I finally went back to studying for my GED. My girlfriend at the time – now my wife – was my biggest motivator. She kept telling me to keep going, even if I failed again. Eventually, in 2020, I passed my GED on the first try – barely, but I passed. I was so excited I literally screamed!
So, what happened after you left the driving school and the restaurant?
I went to Lowe’s, then applied to UPS as a preload supervisor. I worked there for about two years, and that taught me a lot about safety and OSHA standards. UPS takes that stuff seriously. When they laid me off, I worked for TREK bikes for a year before I joined a water purification company called UDI Water.
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Wow…so you hopped around a lot of jobs! Where did the idea of getting a trade come from?
My dad was a Ranger in the U.S. Army for over 20 years, and he always pushed the idea of getting a trade if I wasn’t going into the military. I procrastinated on that idea for a long time, but the biggest issue I faced was that the owner of that driving school was terrible about paying me on time. I ended up relying on savings and credit cards just to survive, which put me into serious debt. Because of that, I couldn’t qualify for any student loans for a while.
That sucks. What made you keep trying?
My best friend’s wife works on the administrative side at Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville, and she kept encouraging me to apply. Eventually, later in 2024, I decided to try again. My finances were in better shape, and this time I actually qualified for funding. Once I saw that my HVAC school could be paid for, I knew it was time to make the jump, and I started class in early 2025.
What shift did you do at school? Morning, afternoon, or evenings?
I went to school in the mornings and then went to work at UDI Water later in the day. I worked there full-time, but I only missed one school day during the entire program – and that was because I got T-boned in a car accident and had to go to the hospital.
Why did you start with the RT program and later add classes to complete EMT?
Cost, initially. I went with what I was approved for, but honestly, I wish I’d gone with the EMT program from the start. The added electrical classes in the EMT program complete the picture – it teaches you how to power the systems you’re working on. It brought everything full circle.
What made you choose HVAC school over other learning another trade?
My wife and I want to start a family, and I want to be able to support them with something respectable. I may be entry-level now, but the possibilities are wide open.
Honestly, HVAC work is expensive – and that alone says something. Even a basic service call can cost a hundred dollars before any work is done. I had a compressor replaced once and it cost me about $1,500. That made me realize I was on the wrong end of that transaction.
There was also an older gentleman in my apartment complex who was HVAC-certified and ran his own business years ago. Anytime he worked on my unit, he’d walk me through everything – what each component did and why. That “why” part really hooked me.
HVAC or more accurately Refrigeration Technologies are everywhere – homes, hospitals, warehouses, stores. If it’s not an AC unit, it’s a chiller. If it’s not a chiller, it’s a refrigeration system in a drink machine. The versatility of this career is endless.
What did you enjoy most about your time at Tulsa Welding School?
The instructors, hands down. They never made you feel stupid for asking questions – whether they were simple or complex. They broke things down in a way that made sense and tied them back to industry standards. There really was no such thing as a dumb question. If they could see you putting the effort in and that you really wanted it, they would be willing to stay late and give one-on-one help. The instructors genuinely wanted students to succeed and push beyond entry-level roles.
How did you find the program? Did you ever feel like quitting?
No – and that comes back to my dad. He always taught me that if you start something, you don’t quit. Quitting is failing. Mistakes happen. Musicians, performers you see at a concert, don’t stop halfway through a song because they hit a wrong note – they keep going. Be consistent. Ask questions. Write them down. The only dumb question is the one you never ask.
Where are you working now?
I started at A/C Designs Heating and Air Conditioning in late January. I was very intentional about finding the right company – not just any job. I needed stability, hourly pay, and a good work-life balance.
What stood out about A/C Designs during the interview process?
Respect. The first thing my manager did was ask me to close the door. That told me this was my time too, not just his. That mattered to me. I’d been in other interviews where the interviewer was distracted by people coming and going, not really focused on me and what I was saying; that told me a lot about those companies. Remember that when you’re interviewing, it goes both ways. You should be deciding whether the company is a good fit for you – not just the other way around. You can decide whether you want to work for them as much as they can decide if they want to hire you.
Are you happy with where you’re starting financially?
Yes. It’s entry-level, but every step up is lucrative. You have to put in the work and prove your worth. I’m not a salesperson, I’m a craftsman. I won’t sell someone something they don’t need. But if they do need it, I’ll explain why and let them make an informed decision. That’s where my attitude aligns with A/C Designs’ values, and why I accepted their offer. I’d had other job opportunities that just didn’t feel right.
What’s your long-term career goal?
I want to grow with the company, improve my skills, and move into more commercial or industrial work. Long term, I’d love to run my own HVAC operation while still growing professionally.
What advice would you give to new students starting at Tulsa Welding School?
Be consistent. Ask questions. I am a firm believer that while there are no dumb questions, there may be silly answers! Also, take photos of your work. Learn from mistakes – yours and other people’s mistakes. The real winner isn’t the person who finishes first; it’s the person who keeps improving.
If you’re a TWS graduate and would like to share your success and be an inspiration to others, please email [email protected] to be considered for a Graduate Connection interview. Please include details such as your graduation date (month/year), program, and campus name (Tulsa/Jacksonville/Houston/Dallas).
