August 28, 2013 - Graduate re-visits campus, motivates students to succeed

UTI-Rancho Cucamonga graduate, Stephen Blackshear, visits with students about his UTI experience and career path.

Universal Technical Institute -Rancho Cucamonga’s California State Smog Certification Training program is no “cake walk,” but if students apply themselves and work hard toward their goals, it’s well worth it in the end, according to recent graduate Stephen Blackshear. And Blackshear isn’t just talking the talk – he’s walking the walk of success, too.

After graduating in August 2012 with a 3.95 GPA and 98% attendance, Blackshear began working three days after graduation at 7 to 7 Smog Repair and acquired his smog license the next day. Today his success has put him in the position to be able to pay for his daughter’s college education.

Blackshear shared with UTI-Rancho Cucamonga students his experiences since graduating and provided insight into what it’s like to work in the industry during UTI-Rancho Cucamonga’s SMOG Tour May 30. Students were especially interested to hear how within the next few months, Blackshear also planned to achieve a lifelong dream – open his own smog shop.

“Stephen was candid, honest and very supportive of the education he received at UTI,” said Shauna Powers, UTI-Rancho Cucamonga Student Development Advisor. “He is a prime example of how to be successful in the industry.”

Blackshear shared with students that he is currently scouting locations for his future business. His plans don’t end there, though. He also has aspirations to return to UTI after he has accumulated significant time in his field of work to be an instructor.

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