Julianna Perciballi has always liked working with her hands. After graduating from Wakefield High School in 2012, she attended a university for a few semesters but ultimately decided to enter the workforce. Working full-time without a degree helped her develop a strong work ethic, but she found the compensation for her years of employment was not at the level she had anticipated. Perciballi made a life-changing decision to enroll in the Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology program at Wake Tech.

"I wanted to do something different, something exciting," Perciballi said. "I knew I liked working with my hands, and I wanted a career where I could feel a sense of pride once the job was finished."

At Wake Tech, Perciballi loved the hands-on lab work, absorbed every bit of classroom knowledge and sought guidance from her instructors. Over time, she was noticed and recognized for her ability to grow into a new career in which women are underrepresented, but she wanted to push herself further. She gladly accepted a job with Carolina Collision Centers of Wake Forest. Grateful for the opportunity, she eagerly dove into the world of repairing damaged vehicles and made a positive impression on her supervisors.

"Wake Tech is well known for providing the skills and training we are looking for," said Brad Johnson, manager of Carolina Collision Centers of Wake Forest. "Julianna has a remarkable skill set, a great work ethic and brings a fresh perspective to the team."

Perciballi has become an invaluable asset to the shop. Her dedication, attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work quickly earned the respect of her colleagues. And thanks to her training at Wake Tech, she's confident in her work.

"Before I went to Wake Tech, I didn't have the skills needed to break into the industry," she said. "Wake Tech will give you the knowledge, skills and opportunities to succeed!"