He was a 34-year-old husband and father, unhappy in his career and in need of a change. In 2005, Alex Neese decided to take the advice of friends. “I had done part-time work as an electrician and always enjoyed it,” he says. “Some friends told me Wake Tech had a good electrical program – and it was close to home – so I decided to give it a try.”

Alex enrolled in Wake Tech’s Electrical/Electronics Technology program, and in 2008 he earned his associate’s degree. While still in school he started working part-time for locally-owned Johnson Controls and is now employed there full time as an electrician. “I was offered the job even before I got my degree,” Neese says. “Now I work four 10-hour shifts and have more time to spend with my family. And the benefits are great!”

Alex is obviously glad he made the switch and credits Wake Tech instructors with preparing him well for his new career. “They gave me such great hands-on training! Even as a new graduate, I fit right in with people who had worked in the field for years.”