Graduate Connections – Meet Julian Lasiloo

Julian, 39, was born in Gallup, New Mexico, but grew up on the neighboring Navajo reservation. Julian completed the nine-month Electro-Mechanical Technologies (EMT) program at RSI in February 2020. 

Thanks for your time, Julian; so, you finished RSI just before COVID closed everything down? 

I graduated at the end of February 2020, right before COVID was in full swing. A month later classmates in the phases behind me were doing everything online. I was lucky.

Good timing. Tell us what you did before coming to RSI six years ago.

I grew up on the Navajo reservation. I’ve lived in New Mexico, California, and from 2016 to 2019, I was in North Dakota working random jobs – mostly retail. I managed grocery stores there, including a brand-new one in a tiny town of about 2,000 people with just two stoplights.

How did you end up in North Dakota?
I was in California from 2013 to 2016, struggling to get by. Everything was expensive, and the pay wasn’t great. I was a machine operator at a company that made plastic molds for electrical connectors. A friend from the reservation got a job with Indian Health Services in North Dakota and told me they were paying premium wages because nobody wanted to work up there. Even Walmart was paying $28/hour in the bigger towns, so, I went with her. I ended up on the Fort Berthold reservation. My friend helped me get settled, I got a job as a closing night manager at a grocery store and stayed for three years. 

What brought you back to Arizona?

In 2019 I decided to move back home. I talked with my family and told them I wanted to get help with my substance abuse and drinking. I moved to Phoenix with just a couple of bags and entered a recovery group home. I lived there from April 2019 to May 2020; I lived there while I went to RSI actually.

How did you find yourself at RSI?

The recovery group home director, Tina, told me, “If you stay sober, work, and go to school, I’ll help you.” She really took care of me. I initially did a three-month program at the house, that turned into six months, and she said if I worked and went to school, I could stay as long as I needed. So, I did both. I’ve been sober now for over five years.

Congratulations on your sobriety. Where did the idea for HVAC school come from?

I figured, living in Arizona, that air conditioning has to be a big industry. I didn’t want to do welding or automotive, so I started looking at HVAC trade schools. My house director gave me a few days to think about it. On Monday, I told her I wanted to check out RSI. She took me down there for a tour. The staff were really welcoming. I told them about my situation, and they helped me apply for Native American education loans. The Phoenix Indian Center also helped with tuition. So, I started school in May 2019. I took morning classes from 7am to 2pm and worked evenings. Eventually, I even worked for the recovery home – driving clients to meetings and encouraging them to go to school. I’m still in touch with Tina from the group home; I still help her out sometimes…I did some work for her a few months ago.

That’s great. So how was the EMT program itself?

It was really fun but definitely challenging. I took the bus an hour and a half each way, every day, but I barely missed a class. It was hard at first, especially learning to diagnose bad components – capacitors, relays, using volt meters. Some phases really pushed me. I had a little experience with hand tools from working on my car, but just basic stuff. I didn’t know much at all about electrical or HVAC before I started.

What kept you going when it got hard?

Honestly, my classmates. I made a lot of friends at RSI. When I got stuck, they’d walk me through the steps instead of just giving me the answers. The instructors were great too – supportive and willing to let me sit in extra sessions to practice. If I didn’t have to work, I would sometimes stay for the entire afternoon class.

What was your favorite part of the RSI experience?

Learning the fundamentals – the theory behind air conditioning. We did all the math manually: calculating pressures, subcooling, superheat. Now the digital gauges do it for you, but learning by hand really stuck with me, and it’s good to know how to do it manually in case the technology fails.

So, you graduated in February 2020 – what came next?

I was working at Arby’s while in school, and my manager there actually helped me get my first HVAC job. His friend was a supervisor at a company called Apes Air and Plumbing in Peoria. I got hired there as an installer helper, doing ductwork and installs. It was fun, but they only paid $14 an hour, which I couldn’t live on. 

How long did you stay there?

Just a couple of months. Then Camden – where I work now – had a job fair at RSI. They manage apartment complexes all over the country. A friend from school, Tracy Jo, got hired there and told me about their apprenticeship program – at the time it was $19 an hour plus an apartment discount. I applied, got the job, and moved out of the group home in May 2020.

That’s a big dollar jump. Congratulations. What role did you get at Camden at first?

I started as a Maintenance Technician Apprentice, then moved up to Maintenance Tech at Camden Foothills in Scottsdale. It’s a high-end property – lots of pressure, especially during the record-hot summer of 2020 when everyone’s A/C worked overtime! After two years as a tech, I became Assistant Maintenance Supervisor, then got promoted again this past July to Multi-Site Maintenance Supervisor. Now I oversee two communities – over 700 apartments.

Impressive. Do you manage a team?

Yes. I’ve got a great crew. I also still live at one of the Camden properties I work at. I told myself I didn’t want a long commute, and I’ve stuck with that! 

Nice setup. I assume each promotion came with a raise.

Yeah, I’m making over $40 an hour now, which is amazing. I’m paid hourly, with plenty of overtime available. I stay late when I can. Overtime pays about $60 an hour. RSI really helped me get my foot in the door.

I’m tempted to come work for you! What’s next for your career?

I’m happy with Camden. I might explore the local electricians’ union at some point, but right now, I’m learning a ton and love the team and the support I have here.

Sounds like you’re doing more than just HVAC these days.

Definitely. We handle electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and even pool systems. Camden pays for our CPO certification, so we’re Certified Pool Operators too. It’s great variety; there’s always something new to learn.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

That variety I just mentioned – no two days are the same. I enjoy meeting vendors and residents, learning from everyone, and constantly picking up new skills. There’s always something different to do, or something new to learn.

You mentioned that your RSI classmates helped you a lot. Do you still keep in touch?

Yes, I made good friends at RSI. A couple of them even got married after meeting at school. About five of us still share photos and help each other to troubleshoot issues at work. It’s cool to still have that network almost six years later.

That’s awesome. Last question: What advice would you give to new RSI students?

Show up, learn all you can, and don’t give up. Keep pushing yourself to improve a little every day – if you do all that, opportunities will come.

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.