Graduate Connections – Meet Jonathan Gonzalez

Jonathan, 27, was born in Inglewood, and raised in San Bernardino, CA; he lived most of his life in California before moving to AZ. Jonathan completed the seven-month Welding Specialist program at RSI in April 2026. 

Thanks for your time, Jonathan; why did you come out to Arizona in 2021?

I was looking into getting my CDL license, and the company I was working for had an opening for a yard jockey position. It was basically an entry-level driving job where I moved trailers around the yard – pulling empty trailers out of loading doors, backing loaded trailers into place, things like that.

What had you been doing in the years between high school and RSI? 

After high school, I started at a community college back in California. I was studying business and psychology because my original goal was to become a student counselor. I had an incredible counselor in high school who really influenced the person I became. She genuinely cared about people. She made time for everyone and always checked in to make sure students were okay. I wanted to be that kind of person for someone else.

But after about a year in college, I had to leave so I could start working full-time to help my family. I didn’t resent it because family comes first, but I basically put my own plans on hold. I got into warehouse work, and that’s mostly what I did for years. After moving to Arizona, I eventually left the yard jockey position and started working in a factory that built refrigerators. I worked for Sub-Zero building high-end appliances. It was basically a plug-and-play production line job. My role was testing the refrigerator units, making sure they worked correctly, and then sending them down the line. I didn’t need specialized electrical knowledge. 

So, although it sounds impressive, it was a line job not a career?

Exactly. The benefits were good, the union was good, and it treated me well, but I felt stagnant. I was there for about three years, but I didn’t feel like I was building a future.

Where did the idea of welding school come from?

One thing I forgot to mention is that back in community college, I had taken a welding class and an auto mechanics class just because I thought they sounded interesting. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. I mainly took welding to fill my schedule and because I liked working on cars.

But when I got to Arizona and started working at the factory, there were welders there, and seeing what they did really changed my perspective. Their welds were beautiful. They took pride in their work, and you could tell they cared deeply about what they were creating. That inspired me. I realized I wanted a career where I could feel that same pride in what I produced. I wanted that same sense of craftsmanship in my life.

Did you keep working there while attending RSI? 

Yes. I was working ten-hour shifts while going to school. I’d be at RSI at 7:00am, leave class around 12:15pm, and then clock in at work by 1:30pm. Most nights I didn’t get home until midnight, and if there was overtime, it could be closer to one in the morning. It was a very strenuous seven months, but I made it work.

What did you enjoy most about your time at RSI?

Honestly, the friendships. There was a group of us who started around the same time, and we became really close. We went through the entire program together, and by graduation it almost felt emotional because none of us wanted it to end. The welding itself was great, but the people made the experience special. Everyone learned differently, everyone had different techniques, and we all helped each other improve.

Have you all stayed in touch since graduating?

Yeah, actually we have. About seven or eight of us. We even joke – or maybe not joke – that we’re all going to get experience, build our careers, and eventually come back together to start our own company someday.

How’s everyone doing so far?

Pretty good overall. Two of them actually work with me now. One is working on a pipeline project near the Texas-New Mexico border. Another is trying to land a fabrication contract with a gas company. A few others are still interviewing and taking weld tests, but everybody’s moving in the right direction.

With the experience you had, how did you find the program? Did it come easy for you? 

Oh no, there were definitely moments when I wanted to quit, especially in the beginning. I struggled a lot early on. It felt like nothing was going right. There was one welding booth I always tried to get because someone had written inspirational graffiti on the wall. It said things about learning from failure and getting better through practice. As cheesy as it sounds, that stuff actually kept me going. But more than anything, I didn’t want to disappoint myself. I knew that if I quit, I’d regret it. I wanted something better for my life.

What practical things did you do when you struggled? Did you ask for help? 

I constantly asked instructors for help. One thing I always tell people is: if you don’t ask questions, nobody knows you’re struggling. I also talked to students, especially those in later phases of the program or student ambassadors. I’d ask them how they approached different welds or techniques. Everybody has different methods; sometimes hearing another explanation makes all the difference. You don’t know unless you ask. 

You graduated about a month ago. Where are you working now and how did you get the job?

I work for Stinger Bridge & Iron in Coolidge, AZ. We’re working on the border wall project. I met a staffing company called 360X Staffing at an RSI career fair. I’d worked with temp agencies before in warehouse jobs, so I was asking them a lot of questions. They had jobs all over the country – San Francisco, Colorado, Michigan, all kinds of places, and not just welding jobs – HVAC, Electrical. I wanted to stay in Arizona because I’ve built a life and have people I care about here. There was an opening at Stinger, so I applied. 

And you actually got hired before you graduated?

Yeah. They called me in for a weld test, I drove out there, took the test, and they offered me the job. The timing worked out perfectly because I still had about two weeks left at RSI, and I also needed to give my old job two weeks’ notice. Stinger worked with me so I could finish the welding program instead of dropping out at the very end. Graduating mattered to me. I wanted that diploma behind me.

Are you officially a Stinger employee or hired through the staffing agency?

Technically I’m employed through 360X Staffing, but it’s a permanent position assigned to Stinger. Honestly, though, it feels like working directly for the company. We still get benefits, dental, vacation time – all of that. I’m already talking with my supervisors about eventually transitioning directly on to the Stinger payroll.

What are your long-term career goals? 

Long-term, I want to open my own fabrication shop. I love working on cars and building things. I’d love to fabricate custom exhaust systems, roll cages, off-road parts – stuff like that. I know it won’t happen overnight. I need experience first, and I want to learn multiple welding disciplines, so I’m not limited to just one thing. I want my future shop to have my name attached to quality work.

Realistically, when do you think that happens?

Hopefully within five years I can at least have an LLC and start building the foundation, even if it’s just operating out of a garage. Within ten to fifteen years, I’d love to have a real dedicated shop space. But I also know I need to learn the business side of things too, not just welding.

What do you enjoy most about welding?

The money is definitely nice, but honestly, it’s the satisfaction of creating something meaningful. Right now, I’m helping build part of the border wall. Whether people agree with it or not, I know I’m contributing to something larger than myself. Later on, when I’m fabricating custom parts for customers, I’ll get satisfaction from bringing their ideas to life. That feeling of creating something real and useful, that’s what I love most.

What advice would you give new students starting at RSI?

Ask questions. Don’t try to struggle through everything alone. You only know what you know, and there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. And don’t let today’s problems ruin your future. Everybody learns at a different pace. You can’t compare yourself to the person next to you. Maybe somebody else picks it up faster – that’s okay. As long as you’re giving it your all and continuing to learn, that’s what matters most.

If you’re an RSI graduate and would like to share your success story 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.