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!

Right Attitude Leads to New Job

Reginald Davis came in to visit us earlier this week saying that he finally landed a job! He graduated in late October but has since been having a hard time finding an employer who would give him a chance because of his limited experience and other personal obstacles to employment.

Staff members Sarah Bantay and Marcelle Gerard, among many who regularly interact with our students, agreed, “Reggie would come in nearly every day on his lunch break just to get onto the computer and fill out as many applications as he could… He was always positive and always doing his best not to be discouraged by the difficulties that he was dealing with.”


Reggie with his instructors Ken and Robert

Reggie was in the lobby telling his story to a new class that had just started this week. One student expressed that he is someone truly inspiring for everyone. Students with similar backgrounds now felt that if he could do it, so could they.

During his interview with the employer, he took a very short driving test at 5AM that lasted less than five minutes. Reggie asked a couple of questions regarding double clutch and what the shifting patterns were. His interviewer answered the questions verbally– Reggie took those directions and put them in action with confidence and ease.

Marcelle described Reggie’s new employer, “They acknowledged his honesty and willingness to learn and accept any kind of work they had available even if it wasn’t a driver– and then hired him as a driver!”

We are all very excited and want to remind Reggie to always keep going and moving forward. We wish him good luck always in his future endeavors!

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 Joseph Lettier Gets His Truck and Bus License


Congratulations to Joseph Lettier for graduating with his commercial truck and bus driver license! He had a few things to share with us after passing both of his driving tests. Class isn’t easy– he told us, “Biggest moment… when Ward just keep going over skills and didn’t move on till I got it and Ryan when he didn’t let me move on with driving till I got it– seemed to me that they cared about my success.” Our Twentynine Palms instructors Ward and Ryan, he described, were “friendly, cool, and knowledgeable.”

He came to CCS because “it [...] seemed to be more of a firm school than *** and the credit hours for college. [...] They offer more in friendship and training offers than any other school.”

Once again, congratulations to Joseph for getting his unrestricted class A with passenger endorsement! We are always here to assist in any of your CDL job searches even years from now.

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!

Congratulations Michael!

Congratulations to Michael Catalano for obtaining his truck driver’s license. Michael always maintained a positive attitude and regularly helped his classmates as well. “Working with one of my class mates,” Michael said, “Learning our pre-trip. We were both having trouble. I found out by helping someone else all day, made me learn things twice as fast.”

He also told us how his training went, “What can I say other than everyone went that extra mile… You are always there for your students.”

“California Career School is second to none in my book,” Michael shared. “I will recommend you to anyone looking to drive.”

Once again congratulations Michael and we wish you luck in all that you do!

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!

Video: Adam Schlusser Graduates With His CDL

Congratulations to our student Adam Schlusser!

Adam is now on a search for work and continues to remain positive in his endeavors. Good luck Adam and we wish you well!

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!!