Marine Graduates With Career Options

USMC Nickey Wheeler graduated from our course and obtained the unrestricted class A license with passenger endorsement!

“A buddy of mine told me about the course, so we came out and talked with Instructor Ward. Ward gave me information on the course and walked me through the tuition assistance program. So with a positive impression about the school I decided to spend the Marine Corps’ money for something positive.”

“[I] got a lot of options,” Nick said. It could be jumping into the truck driving over the road or going back home to get his associate’s degree in criminal justice to become a state trooper. He is currently a military police officer and security and commercial truck knowledge packs a powerful combo. “Just one more thing on my resume!”

For the holidays he wants to spend time with his family and kids. He told us what his kids thought about him being a truck driver, “[My son] thinks it’s pretty neat!” Nick said he would definitely have him sit in the cab, “He’d get a kick out of it!”

We asked him: what did you immediately want to do? “Relax a bit,” he told us, “then hit the ground running again.” Now that he has many options for his career, we wish him luck in all of his future endeavors. Congrats again Nick!

Returning After 7 Years

Having been deployed numerous times, Steve Kovacs endured several hurdles before finally being able to complete his CDL. On top of this, he told us, “I was 183 miles from the school and had to run another household.”

“I just wanted to get my CDL to have a backup when I was going to come off active duty,” said Steve.

After all this time, he finally passed his test for class A and the passenger endorsement, both back to back one day after the other. “Just listen to your instructor, they know what they are doing,” he shared. “[It's] a very good military school with flexible options… very satisfied, will definitely recommend [California Career School].”

Last time we spoke with him, he had obtained a pre-hire with a large carrier shortly after his graduation.

We want to congratulate Steve for enduring towards his goal and then very immediately finding a job afterwards!

How We Help Our Military Students

We believe our training should respond to the needs of industry by preparing men and women alike with “hands on” training directed toward practical applications. Students are supervised by qualified, experienced instructors and will have the opportunity to train with modern equipment commonly used in the industry.

Hugo Barron Builds His Career

Our graduate Hugo Barron got his truck and bus driver licenses and began working in a matter of a few months!

Weeks ago, he told our placement coordinator Marcelle Gerard, “I’ve decided to take ***** up on his offer. Training starts Nov. 28th. I’d like to thank you guys for being the stepping stone between my military service and my next career move.”

For Hugo, Marcelle wanted to share, “It is not often that someone’s first interaction with a company is in person and not through an online application. Upon first being introduced to this hiring company, Hugo met the recruiting manager who would be one of the deciding factors affecting his offer of employment.” This was at a presentation made just for our students and graduates.

“It’s personal right from the beginning,” Marcelle continued. “This company gets the feel for you in person as opposed to just looking at a resume. We are appreciative of the visits that they make to provide presentations and chances for meeting our students. Without this opportunity, our students succeed with less limitations for their future. I am so happy that Hugo has found a home with this company and that we were able to support him along his own path to success!”

She touched base with him shortly after and Hugo replied, “Everything is going great! I’m in my 2nd week of training. It’s almost unreal how well they value their workers. Met the company president. [...] The compensation for our hard work is generous and benefits are excellent. It’s hard work but worth every bit of it. The promotions are there all it takes is time and hard work. I have full intentions on making this a career. “

Graduate Benefits from Instructor’s Teaching Methods

Marine John Wise recently acquired his class A and passenger endorsement at our Oceanside training location just minutes outside of Camp Pendleton. He had a few things to share about his learning experiences with our instructors over the duration of his training. John graduated from class in just over a month!

John wanted to thank both of his instructors, Jose Ballesteros and Joseph Evins. “They’re all about the student learning.” He described Joseph as “smooth” and “breaks it down step by step.” Jose, on the other hand, is someone he felt was, “fact-based, fast-paced” and geared towards “fast learners.” To John, it was important to receive constructive criticism and this is something that Jose did not hesitate to provide. “Jose’s a trip,” he laughed. “They make a good team.”

“Right now,” he told us, “I’m still active duty. [...] I’m waiting for a transportation company in New York.” He had already sent in his resume and is hoping for the good news to come up soon.

“I would definitely recommend the school,” John said, citing our accreditation and flexibility with our Military students. “I enjoyed [the class]– it was fun to me. If I could do it all day, I would.”

Once again, congratulations to John for completing the course successfully and quickly. We wish him luck in his endeavors in New York!

MV Transportation Pays A Visit

MV Transportation made an appearance at our Anaheim headquarters last Friday presenting about their company to students from our Anaheim, Oceanside, and Twentynine Palms training locations.

Together with job openings, their paratransit department and routes were the main topic of the presentation. The company is currently expanding rapidly with constant bidding on contracts not only in California but also abroad in Saudi Arabia, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

Our placement coordinator Marcelle Gerard stated, “In hard economic times, there are companies that are continuing to grow, adding to their revenue, and increasing their employees which gives hope to many of our students needing to support their families.”

Click here for MV Transportation’s job openings

Contact our placement coordinator for assistance in applying for these jobs! (800) 499-6585

California Career School wants to thank MV Transportation for coming out to see our students over here in Southern California and we hope to meet again in the future!

Positive Attitude Gets Victor to Graduate

Congratulations to our student Victor Ortega for getting through his commercial driving course and getting both his class A and B licenses on his first try. We wanted to commend Victor for always being in good spirits and staying attentive in class.

“It was good,” he told us, “Ken taught me a lot… If I’m making a mistake, [he would] correct right then and there.” Victor explained, “Just tell me what to improve on.”

A friend of his referred him to California Career School and through various meetings with the EDD, he found his way here. “At first I hesitated,” Victor said, unsure of what he wanted to do with his future. “To me, it’s like… let’s see– just a different career… Just want to make a living.”

Victor wanted to share a few more words. “Give it a try,” he said about California Career School. “I’ve been to other schools… The staff here are friendly… It’s a good school–very attentive.”

He went on to talk about his plans after graduation, “Whatever’s available– the options are there, you just have to look for it.”

Once again, congratulations Victor! We wish you well in your future endeavors!!

Placement Assistance for Students

Attention graduates! Did you know that you can receive placement assistance from us even years after graduating? California Career School maintains connections with various employers that are always on the hunt for OTR drivers. Have you picked up driving experience since your graduation and are now thinking of going local?

Auto repair, security, and CNC students– don’t stop there, we can also assist you in your search for work.

Call us today to jump start your job search!
(800) 499-6585

Here is just a partial list of how we can help:

  • Interview practice
  • Resume improvement
  • Exclusive job leads for you to apply for

Hey Graduates! Got Pictures?

Got any pictures of your experience OTR? Do you have a great looking photo of your truck?

Well, our Facebook page needs your help! Join us on Facebook and send us your pictures. Let us know how you’re doing out there!

Visit the California Career School Facebook page!

Vanessa Lands Another Job!

After returning from 3 months of the mentor program with a trucking carrier, Vanessa Abdin landed another job locally! “I just enjoyed the driving!” she explained to us. Over the duration of her time, she saw Georgia, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and all over the Midwest. “I finally got to see all over my home state!” Vanessa is from Texas. The most beautiful thing she saw was the Rocky Mountains, she described to us. “It’s a whole new world!”

“This will probably crack Ken up but she said I was a natural at backing up!” Vanessa mentioned what her mentor said about her driving.

Now she’s working for school services driving a bus locally to help disabled children. She went on her own to obtain a passenger endorsement and picked up the job recently. On top of that requirement, her class A license made her competitive among the rest of the applicants. It is also getting her higher wages than those without the class A license at her company. “Having a clean record really helps,” added Vanessa. “I feel so good about this bus driving.”

“Ken,” she told her CCS instructor, “you’d be so proud of me, I can drive anything now!” He said, “You’ll never forget what you experienced out there.”

“I’d do it again, thank you,” she replied.

Vanessa’s first story: Pre-Hired Before Completing