When Maricela Perez graduated from high school in 2014, she planned on continuing her education and studying dentistry at a university in Pennsylvania. However, she wasn’t sure she was ready for college, so instead her parents brought up the idea of Job Corps. Maricela entered Job Corps determined to become a dental assistant.
Two years later, Perez completed the Medical Office Support and Dental Assisting training programs at Charleston Job Corps and earned certifications for Medical Office Support, Electronic Health Records, Radiology, and Infection Control. She was part of the Recreation Leadership team on center, participated in numerous volunteer opportunities on and off campus, and worked part time for the last 6 months she attended Charleston Job Corps.
Maricela is now working as a Reservist in the U.S. Air Force and as a full-time civilian employee for Aircraft Structural Maintenance at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan. Additionally, she works part time at a piano repair and moving company called Sharps Repair.
“Job Corps helped me prepare for the Air Force by teaching me to be punctual and organized. I also was prepared to know how best to study for tests that I must take for my job.”
Maricela’s dedication, drive, and success are due, in part, to the training she received at Charleston Job Corps. She credits the “soft skills” she learned at Charleston Job Corps for helping her prepare for a military career.
Graduated from Job Corps in: 2016 Employer: U.S. Air Force; Position: Reservist, full-time civilian employee for Aircraft Structural Maintenance Notes:
Contact Information: charlestonjccnews@horizonsva.com
Source: Center Submission