Grad Q&A with HVAC-R graduate Ashton Campos

At 20-years old Ashton Campos had outgrown his job washing and prepping the cabins of airplanes at the local airport. He was ready to lock into a career that would give him some independence, greater pride in his work, and better salary potential. But the thought of long-term education didn’t hold much appeal. An uncle was doing well in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration business – and it didn’t take a long stretch of education to get there. He could make that work.

Why did you choose SJVC’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) program?

I liked how it was quick. I never liked sitting in a class all day. I wanted to get in, get it over with and start working. I was still full-time at the airport so I could go to evening classes and go back to the airport after classes or earlier the next day if a plane came in I needed to service.

What was the best thing about the HVAC-R program for you?

The hands-on experience. Anyone can sit there and read a book or use PowerPoint, but a lot of people are like me and don’t learn like that. I can learn with my hands how something operates. That’s why I chose this program.

And what they teach you in the classroom is how it is in the field.

Were the HVAC-R instructors supportive?

For part of our grade, instructors would disable something on the system, and you would have to go and figure out what was wrong – and fix it. I was able to understand what was wrong and fix it on the first try.

Class sizes are small, so it was more like the instructor was talking to you directly. And they had more time to focus on what each student was struggling with. It felt more one-on-one.

What was your greatest struggle?

I was never good at taking tests, but it’s something you have to get through. During tests we could ask our instructor about something. He wouldn’t give you the answer but would guide you toward another way to think to get to the answer.

What motivated you to keep pushing toward your career goal?

The idea of being able to start a career and accomplish future goals.

I got my work ethic from my mom who always told us that it’s about how you carry yourself, how you show interest in things and how well you work. That people see that; they notice if you’re putting your heart into it.

What advice would you give to those who struggle with committing to the HVAC-R program?

You won’t know everything, and you’ll get discouraged. But, if you stick with it, you will definitely succeed in this trade. You’ll learn a lot in school and will come out pretty confident.

What level of success is possible after completing the HVAC-R program?

There are guys who get out of this program and are instantly out in their own business, doing their own thing. If you’re willing to make the time to learn, it will really help you start your own business.

Our teachers talk with students about how to get started in and building their own business.

Where did you land after you completed the HVAC-R program?

I’ve been working as a HVAC-R technician for American Inc. for over a year. Learning in this field is ongoing. Every day there’s something different and with each new issue you become better at it the next time you have that situation. I’m pretty confident in what I know and can work alone.

Some days I have residential calls, some days it’s commercial. In winter a lot less goes wrong with a furnace/heating unit. But summer in the Valley, people need their cool and losing A/C for a day is really urgent.

Do you have back-up for on-the-job help?

If I can’t figure out something pretty quickly, I’ll call someone. Our (SJVC) instructors tell us to call them if we’re out in the field and have any questions. I saved their numbers.

The people I work with in the field are very helpful too, not territorial. Someone will always have an idea. Our supervisors would even come out and help if you still don’t get it. I believe it’s an industry thing.

What have you realized since you’ve been out in the field?

A  lot of time I’m by myself out in the field, but sometimes I meet up with a fellow employee at a job to help them out. I realize there’s always room to learn more from how someone else does something.

What is your future direction?

I eventually want to learn more about large commercial refrigeration like they have in packing houses and supermarkets. I like working on bigger equipment and more complicated machinery. They’ve been taking me out on calls to show me how that works.

Any higher goals?

I give myself maybe five years doing this, learning as much as I can. I would eventually go out on my own. That’s been the plan ever since I started the HVAC-R program. I like to do my own thing; not have to report back to anybody. Just go out and do my work and finish the day off when I want.

It’s a great career to get into. You’re going new places every day and seeing a variety of problems. I really enjoy it.