Is trade school the right choice for me? Do my interests line up with a specific trade? I think I’m interested in HVAC training, but how do I know if heating and cooling school is the right path for me?
If you are considering taking your education, skills and knowledge to the next level by going to a trade school, you have probably asked yourself these questions. Individuals interested in a future in the heating and cooling trade often wonder if their personality, interests and skills are a good fit. As you weigh your options and plan for the future, consider these indicators.
You are a dependable person who understands everyone plays an important role. Family, friends, coworkers and supervisors trust you to work hard and fulfill expectations. People know you will follow through with what you say you will do—whether it is a small request or an important appointment.
These qualities help students studying the HVAC trade complete their work. For example, if an air conditioning unit stops working in the middle of the night, homeowners and building managers want a trustworthy individual with the skills and knowledge to resolve the problem right away.
You are a technically minded person—which means you approach a problem by locating patterns and efficiencies. You may prefer to create a system or routine when you want to be successful with work or school. Following a process gives you control over challenges, and you often break a project into smaller parts because you want to see how things work.
In HVAC school, you can use this trait to your advantage. Heating, cooling and refrigeration systems have a web of inner parts, and students learn how and why things work to produce cold or hot air. When one of these important systems breaks or malfunctions, an individual in the HVAC trade is often the first person on the scene. Students who are technically minded are prepared to examine a control panel and locate patterns to complete important repairs.
You like staying active—whether you are spending time with family and friends or learning hands-on in the classroom. You are the type of person who does not mind taking a walk or a drive with no destination in mind—as long as you are going somewhere, you are happy. A traditional desk job sounds a little boring to you, and you think you want a future that requires working on your feet.
People in the HVAC trade spend time driving to job sites, working with their hands and maybe crouching into tight spaces to assess and service heating, cooling or refrigeration equipment. This active role calls for individuals to be comfortable moving on their feet for periods throughout the day.
When you know how something works, it is easy for you to teach others to be successful with it, too. Your knowledge and passion for a topic—such as cars, cooking, or movies—sets you apart from others. You are friendly and approachable, and you feel comfortable talking to strangers.
Individuals in the HVAC industry interact with many people throughout the day—and they are often answering important questions about their trade, skills, knowledge of various equipment, or why a replacement part is necessary and how it will improve an overall system. Homeowners, contractors and business managers want to understand what a red flag looks like—and an HVAC tradesperson is responsible for explaining various elements about a furnace, air conditioner, refrigerator or other appliance. Strong communication and patience help make these interactions successful.
*Apex Technical School and its instructors are licensed by the State of New York, New York State Education Department.
Disclaimer: Apex Technical School provides training for entry-level jobs. Not everything you may read about the industry is covered in our training programs.
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