Graduate Connections – Meet Irakunda Isaya

Irakunda, 19, is from Uganda in East Africa. He moved to Phoenix with his family in 2016 at the age of 10. Irakunda completed the seven-month Electrical Applications (EA) program at RSI in January 2025. 

Thanks for your time, Irakunda; did you go straight into RSI after high school?

Yes. After graduating high school in May 2024, I knew I needed to work with my hands. I didn’t want to be like a lot of other 19-year-olds and work a minimum-wage job forever. So, I started researching trade schools and colleges nearby, and that’s when I found RSI. I scheduled a tour, went in, and honestly, on that tour I already knew I wanted to go there. I just wanted to get started, and I did in June 2024.

That’s awesome – what made you decide that so quickly?

They showed me what we’d be learning, what they’d provide, and told me I’d be able to wire a house by myself or with a team after graduating. That really motivated me.

Did you already know you wanted to do electrical training, or were you open to any trade?

I used to spend my free time taking random things apart, putting them back together, just to see how they worked. I always had that mindset. I didn’t have direct electrical experience, but I was drawn to how electricity works. At first, I thought RSI was only refrigeration because of the name – The Refrigeration School – but when they showed me the electrical program, that’s when I thought, “This is what I want to do.”

Did you have any electrical experience before school?
No real electrical experience – just taking apart things like cell phones and computers. I messed with wiring doing that a little, but never actual electricity.

How was the adjustment from going to high school to trade school for you?

That was difficult. In high school you’re basically just there because you’re told to be. In trade school, you have paid money to be there, so you have to take it seriously. You need a different mindset. Trade school trains you to pay attention, and what you put into trade school is exactly what you’ll get out of it. RSI gives you the knowledge and the tools to succeed, but you have to stay consistent and dedicate yourself to it.

How did you find the program itself? Did electrical work come easy or was it frustrating at first?

At first it wasn’t easy. There were times I was confused, and other times things clicked. Asking questions helped a lot; I asked my instructors and classmates, some of whom had field experience. They really supported me. The first phases were tough, but around the middle of the program is when it all started to make sense for me.

A lot of people might have quit. What kept you motivated?

I saw the potential of it as a career. I could see the different doors that being an electrician could open -working for a small company like I am now, or a bigger company, or eventually starting my own business. The future opportunities kept me going.

Good for you. What did you enjoy most about the program?

The instructors. Every day they were there to motivate us, help us, and give us the knowledge and tools we needed to be successful. I had four or five different instructors throughout the phases of the program.

Who are you working for now?

I work for Mohrmann Electric, a small company in Mesa. We work around the valley on commercial and industrial properties, whether that’s maintaining them or if they’re brand new, we wire them up.

How long have you been there?

About a month. After graduating, I knew I had zero work experience – electrical or otherwise. So, I got a retail job at Walmart as a stocking associate; I needed to get used to being in the workforce. While working there, I applied to electrical jobs every day through websites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter, just to see if someone might say yes and give me an opportunity to prove myself. Then a couple months ago, Mohrmann Electric came to RSI looking for apprentices. Ms. Jade in Career Services gave them my résumé and they called me. 

Did you get an interview?

They brought me in, but it wasn’t a traditional interview. They told me to get my tools and put me straight onto a job site to see what I knew, hands-on. No sitting and talking – just working, seeing what knowledge I had and what I could do.

Congratulations! Obviously, it went well!

Yeah, it went well. I’m still with them, learning something new every day. It’s a small company. The owner started it about two years ago and I’m the only employee. I like it. He’s friendly, teaches me new things every day. I love the company.

Financially, are you happy with where you started?

It’s a good starting point. I know it’ll get higher every year as my skills and experience improve. and I’ll get paid my worth. At Walmart I started at minimum wage, around $15, and after two months I became employee of the month and got promoted, so my pay there went up but it’s still a little less than what I’m making now. The difference is now I’m getting paid to learn a career – not to stock shelves. I’m still learning and I know I’ve got a long way to go, but I can see myself improving every single day.

The knowledge you’re gaining is worth a lot. So, what’s your career plan from here?

My plan is to stay with Mohrmann Electric and learn as much as I can from him. He has a lot of experience and shares his own tips and techniques. Later, I’ll decide whether to stay or move on and become a contractor myself. Getting my own contractor’s license is my ultimate goal.

What do you enjoy most about the trade so far?

Finishing a job and seeing the results – like wiring a light, giving it power, and watching it work. It motivates me to come back the next day.

Thinking back to RSI, did you make some friends or connections?

Honestly, I was more of a loner. There were opportunities to make connections, but I didn’t really take them.

What advice do you have for new students coming into RSI?

Stay consistent with the program. What you put in is what you’ll get out. Show up every day, do your best, and you’ll see improvement and the results. If you don’t understand something, ask questions – the instructors are there to help you.

Were you always comfortable asking questions?

Not at first. I didn’t like putting my hand up. I usually waited until the teacher was done talking. I had to grow into having the confidence to ask questions openly.

If you’re an RSI graduate and would like to share your success and be an inspiration to others, please email [email protected] to be considered for a Graduate Connection interview. Please include details such as your graduation date (month/year) and program.