Career Program: Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician
Originally From Berlin, Wi
Current Residence: Ripon, Wi
Age: 33
Attended FVTC: Fall 2018 - Spring 2021

Why did you choose to study this field?

I love knowing how things work and fit together. Auto collision is like putting puzzle pieces back together to how the vehicle was before the accident. Sometimes it is easy, other times you don’t have much left of the damaged area so it ends up being harder. No two vehicles will have the same exact damage patterns so it is always something different.

Tell us how you came to choose FVTC for your education.

FVTC was the closest to where I live, so I could still work full-time at the job I had while I was in school.

What's been the most rewarding part of your educational journey at FVTC?

The connections I’ve made as far as with friends, instructors, and colleagues within the auto Collision industry. I went to S.K.I.L.L.S my first year and took first place in Collision Damage Appraisal which gave me the opportunity to go to the national S.K.I.L.L.S. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot while I was there. This experience also helped me define more where my passion for the industry is. In my second year, I got the opportunity to go to SEMA. The experience was amazing and they had wonderful classes that I learned so much from.

What was the most difficult part?

Working a full-time weekend job and going to school four days a week while being a mom. Thankfully I have an amazing support system at home and school so I managed without having to push out the length of time I was in school by too much.

What will you do on graduation day or in the future to celebrate graduation?

I really want it to warm up so my family and I can go on a camping/kayaking weekend. Though it will probably have to wait a few weekends longer.

Tell us about your plans after graduation.

I am very fortunate to have already found a job I love where I can continue to learn and expand my knowledge as a Collision Damage Appraiser. There are still a few classes I will probably take in the next year or two to learn a few new languages that I feel will help me communicate better with different customers.

One last parting thought or words of wisdom to share with others.

Try to reach for your goals even if they seem impossible today. by making many little goals, the bigger ones become easier to reach. Do not quit if you fail just readjust using what you learned from the situation.

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