Success Stories

Daniel Ramos, Jr. - HVAC Technician

A Cool Career

If you have heating or cooling problems, there’s nobody you’re happier to see than Danny Ramos. High school courses gave Danny a head start in his career as an HVAC technician. In fact, Danny was actually able to study HVAC systems as a junior and senior at Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center.

“I was able to earn a CFC Certification for handling refrigerants—that was a big plus when I went to work. Those classes gave me an overall foundation for most aspects of the trade. It was good to have that solid foundation to build on in the field.” Additional studies at Tidewater Community College rounded out Danny’s career preparation.

Noel Russell - HVACR Technician

High School HVAC Studies Served as a Springboard for this Student’s Career

Noel Russell’s father was a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) technician, so she grew up around the field…but she never really expected to enter it herself.

Then, when her senior year arrived, Noel had only two required academic classes, and wanted to take some electives at Chesterfield Technical Center.

“So I brought home some books from the Tech Center, and dad thought I should give it [HVAC] a try…. I fell in love with it, and stuck with it.

“What’s nice about starting in high school is that you get so many classroom hours that you need for your journeyman’s card, plus you can get a year in the field with an apprenticeship. So then, after high school, you only have to work four years to get your journeyman’s card….I also got my CFC card there [an industry-required certification for handling chlorofluorocarbons], and that was the main thing you had to learn in order for anyone to hire you.”

Noel discovered that the HVAC program also paved the way for workplace experiences through an apprenticeship opportunity. “My apprenticeship was a turning point; that gave me a really big head start….” Because of that apprenticeship, Noel says, “I didn’t have the stress that a lot of students have when they graduate; I already knew where I was going to work, and what to expect. “

Today, she does residential HVAC service work, handling preventative maintenance and repairs—and she still enjoys what she does. “I like meeting people. I like the challenge of it; it’s like being tested every day…it’s like doing a puzzle every day.”

Matt Cahoon - Brick Mason

Hands-on High School Studies

One of the things Matt Cahoon says that he liked about his building trades classes at Southampton Technical Center was the fact that he wasn’t stuck at a desk all day.

“We had a shop where you learned the basics of carpentry and masonry—how to use tools, different bricks and mortar. We were in the shop 80% of the year practicing. He’d actually show us how to do it—it was a very hands-on approach. We did walls, wall panels with windows; we even built a shed in carpentry then next year we bricked it.”

Matt also liked the fact that his teacher could speak from first-hand experience. “He’s a mason himself; because of his experience, he knew what to teach us…how to use tools, how to use measuring tools and levels…different techniques, laying bricks, “buttering” bricks. He was a great teacher…he really did prepare me. Everything he taught me paid off.”

SkillsUSA competitions in high school gave Matt the chance to show off his skills – and also to make contact with people in the industry. “[Those competitions] definitely opened up opportunities for me; right before I graduated, I filled out an application…and had a job waiting for me the week of graduation. I worked from the end of June ‘til September. Then my [four-year] apprentice program started in September.”

With solid academic grades and SAT scores, Matt could have chosen the four-year college route—but he found the immediate opportunities and income of the construction field more appealing. He’s been steadily working (and steadily advancing) ever since.

Kevin Cogley - Mechanical Engineer / Drafting Instructor

Putting his High School Studies to Work on the Job…and in the Classroom

With just two academic classes required by his senior year schedule at Stafford High School, Kevin Cogley decided to add a drafting class as an elective. “I just had an interest in drafting for the longest time. I thought that was a good first step to see if I liked it.”

And he did.

In fact, he competed in SkillsUSA drafting competitions, took the gold in state each year, proceeded to the nationals in Kansas City for two years, and ended up being named 5th in the nation in Technical Drafting.

Kevin went on to study mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech. “Having HS drafting got me through a lot of engineering,” he says. “It was a strength that not a lot of people had. In my first class in college, there were only one or two others with a solid drafting background. [Eventually,] I also got the opportunity to be a teaching-assistant for an AutoCad course. “

As a graduate, Kevin continues to teach, serving on the faculty of Rappahannock Community College – and also works in the Dahlgren Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, performing systems engineering for chemical and biological defense programs.

Kevin credits his early high school studies for “the professionalism and respect for the engineering trade that it gave me…learning how to conduct yourself, and how to do your work.”

Matt Torrence - HVACR Technician

This National Skills USA Gold-Medal Champion is Ready to Compete in the Workplace, Too

Matt Torrence began his HVACR [heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration] studies in 11th grade at Chesterfield Technical Center. Like many students in that setting, he was able to earn the industry-required CFC [chlorofluorocarbon] certification in the process.

But in 11th grade, he also began entering Skills USA competitions—and that’s what soon set him apart in the HVAC field.

“In 11th grade, I made it to nationals in SkillsUSA, and placed 11th in the nation. In 12th grade, I finished first in regional, state, and national HVACR competitions….In the competition there were 10 different stations of various types of equipment, like ice machines, food coolers, and a residential split system. You had to follow the proper steps and safety procedures on each one.”

During his 12th grade year, he was already on the job—proving that his high school HVAC studies we’re truly preparing him for a career. In fact, ask him what the benefits of those junior- and senior-year studies were, and he says, “everything. You learn the proper procedures, the functions of equipment, plus you get certified for your CFC card. You get all kinds of benefits and it’s all hands-on.”

Kip Hull - Construction Site Services

Shaping Life’s Landscape

Former varsity linebacker Kip Hull has always had the drive to move ahead, but high school marketing classes gave him some direction, too. “Those classes helped to teach me the fundamentals of business: setting up the foundations of a company, getting the bill and paying the bill, hiring somebody and paying somebody.” Kip wasted no time putting that knowledge to work. “When I was about 18, two other guys and I started a business putting up silt fencing and laying sod at construction sites…and it just grew from there. Now we do everything under the sun.” Today, Kip operates several businesses and employs more than 300 people. While Kip's businesses are all construction-related, he caught his "entrepreneurial vision" through his marketing studies in high school.

Breon Grant - Registered Apprenticeship/Electrical

Learning from the Pros

Students in Registered Apprenticeship programs have a valuable opportunity to learn their skills from seasoned veterans—and to earn while they learn.

Breon Grant is midway through a Registered Apprenticeship cycle conducted through the Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) and his local electricians union. “I’m going into the 2nd year...and I’ll get a journeyman’s card at the end of the 5th year.”

He heads off to work every day with an experienced journeyman and takes classes two nights a week. When he began those classes, he discovered that his high school CTE courses had left him well prepared. “My electronics classes really helped me out. In your apprenticeship, they teach you about DC in the 1st year, and AC in the 2nd year, but I had already learned about both of them in high school...so I had a little bit of a jumpstart on some things when I started."

Megan Kilman - CAD Operator

Designing a Career

“I always thought I’d be either an architect or an oceanographer,” says Megan Kilman. “Then someone told me about this CADD class – they thought I’d be interested...and I knew it could help me with architecture.”

Starting that Computer-Aided Drafting & Design course in high school proved to be a valuable step for Megan; she was able to earn her CADD certification as a high school senior. That certification helped her get an internship at the major architectural firm where she works today.

“It was a big boost having CADD certification when I was interviewing here, and since I know CADD, it helps me understand other programs they’re teaching me here at work.”