Getting out of the military and finding your way into civilian life can have its twists and turns. For Ryan White, he found himself working for a moving company right after his time in the service ended. He knew that it was just going to be a temporary job. He didn’t mind the hard work and it was the chance to make some money. But he was searching for the career he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

He thought that career would be in nursing. Two years into a nursing program Ryan knew it wasn’t for him. He thought about what he wanted and knew he needed to move his career toward something in the automotive industry.

“My dad was a mechanic. I always had an interest in cars and I decided that it needed to take this to the next level.”

Ryan looked at a few programs before choosing UTI. He evaluated what they had to offer and found that UTI would be the best fit for what he wanted to be – an automotive tech. What stood out for him is how the coursework is structured.

“You’re not bouncing around, you’re dedicated to one subject, three weeks at a time. You don’t have to worry about anything else other than what you’re focused on.”

He visited the UTI campus in Exton, Pennsylvania. He was impressed with how big it was, the number of students, the cleanliness of it and that they had the tools and the automotive resources available to students for their education and training. And he was happy that his GI Bill would assist him financially in completing his education.

The transition into UTI was a quick one. Within two months he left his job, which was just a short-term gig, and started his education in what he wanted to do in the long-term. He took the lessons that he learned in the military and applied them to his studies at UTI.

“Come into the program with an open mind and work hard. You have to be dedicated, put in your time and pay attention. If you do, you’re going to end up in a good place in the end.”

Ryan now works as a technician at Fred Beans Ford in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, a dealership where he’s happy to follow his passion for automotive repair. But it wasn’t his first job out of UTI. A call from a service manager who had gotten his information through UTI’s Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) program opened the door to this new and better job. He had an interview, it went well and now he’s in a role that he loves.

Ryan’s followed what he discovered was his true calling – and that was being an automotive tech. His career path veered in different directions, but he’s one who has always been open to new opportunities. For those still attending UTI or are recent graduates, he suggests they stay focused and explore all of the career options that may come their way.

“Get your name out there – when there are career fairs, go. Be there, talk to everyone you’re interested in. Don’t sell yourself short and take every opportunity that comes your way.”

Ryan used the focus and discipline he learned in the military and applied those skills to succeed at UTI. And UTI gave Ryan the education that helped develop his skills and point him in the direction to the life he has today as an auto tech.