Graduate Connections – Meet Jasmin McDowell

Jasmin, 43, from Charlotte, North Carolina, completed the nine-month Electro-Mechanical Technologies program at Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville in October 2025, before taking the additional necessary classes to complete the Electrical Applications program in January 2026. 

Thanks for your time, Jasmin. What did you do before coming to TWS?

I actually had track scholarships to North Carolina State and Lynchburg College in Virginia, but I tore my hamstring at a meet. After that, I joined the United States Navy at 19, fresh out of high school. 

Did you go into the Navy with a particular goal or career in mind?

Originally, I wanted to be a Navy diver, then a Navy SEAL. That didn’t happen. I ended up becoming a general electrician in the Navy, and that’s what I did for 20 years. Over time, I also became an engineer. I worked on engines, fire mains, air conditioning systems – anything dealing with propulsion or electrical distribution. I retired from the Navy after 20 years, two months, and 14 days on October 31st, 2021.

So, the dreams of being a diver or a SEAL never came to pass?

No. I became a father, and once I had my daughter, my priorities changed. I didn’t want to be away from my kids. If I had been single, I probably would have done it, but I realized my purpose was to be a dad. 

Thank you for your service. When you retired from the Navy in 2021, what did you do next?

I went and pulled trash. I worked full time doing that, took on more responsibility. I didn’t need the money; it was exercise for me! Later, I worked at Mayport Naval Base as a contractor doing admin work for two years, on top of the trash job. I wasn’t ready to sit down. I still had things I wanted to accomplish. 

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Is that what you’re doing now?

I am still a contractor, but now I go onboard naval ships and train the sailors in how to work on their equipment and take care of it. I started this contract in July while I was at school. What I learned at Tulsa really helped me understand things that I didn’t fully understand before – like signal tracing, and PLCs (programmable logic controllers). I had dealt with them before but never had to troubleshoot them deeply. TWS helped me understand how they really work.

What made you decide to come to TWS last year? 

My priority was to make sure my children had options. That’s why I’m just now going to school for myself – because I wanted to make sure my kids could go in whatever direction they wanted in life. Now they’re good – my daughter just turned 21 and my son just turned 17 – so it’s my time. I make sacrifices so my family doesn’t have to. Now they’re taken care of, so I’m taking care of myself.

Why did you want to come to a trade school? 

I didn’t come to school for money or a job. I came for the experience and personal growth. I wanted to be able to teach my kids how to work on their A/C units, and how electricity works from a residential standpoint – things I didn’t fully know. Once I got into it, I thought about starting my own HVAC business, doing mobile work, helping people save money, maybe working with HOAs. But over time, I realized I really just like teaching people, so I’m going to keep training for the next few years and maybe teach at TWS one day.

How was your experience at Tulsa Welding School?

Overall, it was a great experience. The staff were very helpful. My teachers were great. They took their time with me, even came in on days off to help me one-on-one. I’m very hands-on and like to go in depth, and with a big class they can’t always do that. But they made the effort. My teachers – Mr. Scott and Mr. Rodney – really broke things down for me, and I appreciate them a lot.

Were you the oldest student in the class?

No, my brother was in class with me, and he’s 52. Not a blood brother, but he is my brother; we were in the Navy together, we retired together, and we went to school together.

After 20 years as an electrician in the Navy and now being a trainer, what could school teach you?

A lot, actually. Naval ship systems aren’t the same as commercial or residential electrical systems. I didn’t come into HVAC school with the mindset that I’d been an electrician for 20 years – I came in as a student, ready to learn. 

Did you use your experience to help other students?

In our first class, we all stood up and introduced ourselves, and I told everyone, “If you’re nervous or feel like you won’t make it, I’ve got your back. I won’t let any of us fail.” And I kept my word. We studied together, helped each other, and became really close. That felt good, because everyone wanted it just as much as I did. We still get together, eat, watch boxing matches, and spend time with our families. A lot of us stay in touch

So, were you like a teacher’s assistant?

No, not at all. I wasn’t there to teach or trying to take over the class. Offline, I’d tell my teachers, “If you need help, I’m here,” but I wasn’t there to teach. I wanted to contribute to everyone’s success. Tulsa Welding School taught me things I knew of but didn’t truly understand. You should be learning something every day in life. In the Navy, a lot of what I learned, I learned on my own – someone would hand me a book and say, “Go fix it.” That made me stronger as a technician. Coming into school, I came in with a clear mind. I didn’t act like I knew everything.

Did you go to school at night while working?

Yes. I worked from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., then went to school at 6:00 p.m. Both programs I took were night classes.

What do you enjoy most about HVAC and electrical work?

I love the challenge. I love learning. I love helping people. I look at systems like the human body. Everything has to flow properly. It needs maintenance, and problems need to be diagnosed and treated. Every system needs a brain telling it what to do. That’s how I see HVAC and electrical systems. It’s the closest I’ll ever get to being a doctor! Because of what I learned, I fixed A/C units for friends and even drove to Charlotte to fix my mom’s A/C when her maintenance company couldn’t figure it out. If I hadn’t gone to school, I might’ve figured it out eventually but having that deep understanding from TWS made all the difference. I didn’t charge anyone. It wasn’t about money – it’s never been about money for me – it’s about helping people.

Looking ahead, what are your plans?

I’ll keep doing what I’m doing for a few years; I’ll finish this training contract with the Navy and probably retire again – my second retirement – between 47 and 50. I might even come to teach at Tulsa Welding School in the future. If I teach, that’ll be therapy for me. I don’t work because I have to – I work because I choose to. Time is the most important thing to me. I’d spend money to buy time if I could. I lead with love. I enjoy living life, being with my family, and helping people succeed. That’s where I’m at in life and that won’t change.

What advice would you give to new students coming to Tulsa Welding School?

Make it about you – not about anybody else. Prove everything to yourself. You owe it to yourself to be the best you can be. Also, respect people’s time. People are sacrificing their time to help you, so make the best of it.

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).