September 11, 2012 - After serving in the Army, UTI-Rancho Cucamonga student relocates from the east coast to attend UTI

UTI-Rancho Cucamonga student Jose Ayala has 100 percent attendance and a 4.0 GPA as he begins the Ford FACT program.

UTI-Rancho Cucamonga student Jose Ayala is a man with a plan. He always knew he wanted to become an automotive technician, but he also knew he would have to work hard to attain that goal. After deciding that UTI was where he wanted to train, he put his plan in place. To accomplish the dual purpose of serving his country and earning education assistance, he enlisted in the Army in 2008. After spending time in Georgia, Hawaii, and finally Iraq, Ayala was honorably discharged in 2011 and set his sights on the next step in his plan: enroll at UTI.

Raised on the east coast in New Jersey, Ayala first visited UTI-Exton, then considered broadening his travel to California, where he visited UTI-Rancho Cucamonga. After his campus visit, Ayala knew Rancho Cucamonga was the campus for him.

“I couldn’t help but feel that my experience would be so rewarding at the Rancho campus,” says Ayala. “So I went with my gut and I couldn’t be happier.”

After completing internships with Lucas Oil and Formula Drift where he replaced and repaired body panels, wheels and a blown steering box, among other things, Ayala is now enrolled in the Ford FACT program. Without planning it, Ayala added another step to his plan, but is glad he did.

“Another student told me that if I left UTI without taking Ford FACT, I would be selling myself short,” says Ayala. “Those words stayed with me, and after seeing it for myself, I’m more than pleased that I decided to take Ford FACT.”

When Ayala isn’t busy with internships and class – 100 percent attendance record and a 4.0 GPA – he is the team driver for So-Cal Sliderz and a promoter for Warfest.com drifting competitions. Warfest.com brings drifting and music together under a combined mission of keeping racing off the streets and only on driving courses, like nearby Adams Motorsports Park in Riverside, Calif.

“The experience and exposure is great, and has even helped UTI become a household name,” says Ayala.

To those who don’t know the UTI name yet, and are considering a technical education, Ayala encourages visiting a UTI campus.

Come have a tour of the campus, ask all the questions you like,” says Ayala. “If you’re interested in a career in automotive, racing, or any other technical field – trust me, you can go anywhere from here – or if you just want to make yourself more knowledgeable about your passion for cars, there is no better place to go than UTI!”

The next step in Ayala’s plan is graduation, and after that, he feels like he can go anywhere.

Want to interact with UTI-Rancho Cucamonga online? Make sure to “like” the UTI-Rancho Cucamonga Facebook page!