Greetings, my name is Juan Alberto Torres Rodriguez, currently residing in Caguas, Puerto Rico. After over 25 years in the food industry, I lost my job. In October 2017, and after 18 years working as a sales representative for the company To-Ricos, Hurricane Maria, took away the opportunity I had and I was displaced; just like many in Puerto Rico. I took a month of “vacation” and dedicated myself to “lend a hand” to others, so I was until I applied for a company that supervised the collection of vegetative material, I worked there authorizing/monitoring the loading of the material. I then worked as PM-Program Manager for a company that performed temporary reconstruction inspections of residences. Basically, after finishing this inspection program, I managed to be selected to work for a company as a disaster case manager, supporting those still affected by Hurricane Maria, something totally new to me. As a Disaster Case Manager, worked on the enforcement of federal laws in areas of housing, social welfare and the utilization of funds allocated to individuals. I had the opportunity to develop skills in research, documentation, as well as advocate for participants’ rights. To put people on the road to recovery through plans, follow-up and linkages, to meet the existing needs that people still had, that was the purpose. As I said, something totally new for me, and anyway the results were extraordinary. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit and the program no longer received FEMA funding, and closed about 95% of its operations. Once again I miss the opportunity of the workshop. In those pandemic times, looking to learn new things, I took and passed a course in “repair and maintenance” of electric generators. The issues I encountered in that course led me to evaluate many things in my life and to explore non-traditional alternatives for me.
Then I meet AMSI, “La Alianza”. It was a time when I was collecting “aggrandized” unemployment money, but I felt that I needed to make changes, I couldn’t just sit idle in that relaxed zone. It was then that I took a path of learning, of several online workshops, of
several orientations until I finally had a great opportunity. After they evaluated my request and I told them why I was, am and will be an “excellent investment” for them, they approved me for a course titled “Industrial Electrical Technology with PLC and Renewable Energy”, at Mechtech College in Caguas. I had opportunities, or temptations, to put aside this electrical school thing and forget about AMSI. I wondered if it would be worth investing so much time and other opportunities, some of them with excellent remuneration, would slip through my fingers.
The truth is that I made a commitment to myself, and at the same time to “the alliance”, there was no turning back, we went through the approval process, signed all the necessary documents and took advantage of this great opportunity. Today, the result is that we finished the course with High Honors and we have a license awarded by the Department of State of Puerto Rico, which accredits me as “Assistant Electrician” and this coming April/2023, we will be participating in the examination to become an Electrician.
I thank the Lord for all the good people he has put in my path, for all the situations I have lived through, for perseverance, for keeping me committed and making me competent, and of course, for the tools. To AMSI, for all the workshops in which I participated virtually, above all, I am very grateful for the ITA account, which sponsored me, it was the tool. This training will provide me with new opportunities in a challenging and in-demand field. Choosing to study has empowered me and increased my possibilities for professional development in the area, one where I will grow in the same way.
From the beginning I indicated that this opportunity would open up a wide range of opportunities for me, and so it has been. I trust in myself, I trust in what I have achieved and what I have yet to achieve, I trust in raising my potential, and above all I trust in contributing.
To AMSI, again to Amarilis, I thank you for the great opportunity, and I repeat, I hope that future participants will internalize that this program is great, that it provides opportunities and above all it educates. Commitment only…. Today I can say, of course it was worth it.
Much appreciated,
Juan Alberto Torres Rodríguez
Note: I am currently working as an Assistant Electrical Surveyor in the Municipality of Caguas.
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