Sonia Martinez Penaranda is living proof that it’s never too late to say “never.” 💪

The 40-year-old is a wife and mother of four, who is determined to show her children that there is always time to improve yourself.

“I missed a lot of study time in my youth,” explains the Venezuela native. “Thankfully, places like Central Piedmont give individuals like me – a non-traditional student – an opportunity to improve and learn a new career.”

Sonia enrolled in the college’s phlebotomy program, a step she decided to take after seeing a need in the healthcare field for more diversity. 

“Going to the doctor and giving blood is stressful in general,” explains Sonia. “Now imagine walking into a lab and not understanding the language or what is going on around you. You can understand how a person’s stress level can begin to increase. I want my patients to be comfortable in a healthcare setting, to feel safe and confident. If I’m able to create a positive experience, the greater the likelihood they’ll return for a follow-up appointment and take better care of themselves and their families.”

Thankfully, Sonia won’t have to wait long to achieve her goal of being a professional phlebotomist. She’s learning the skill through the college’s Accelerated Career Training (ACT) program, an initiative that seeks to help individuals attain meaningful employment through fast job training in high-growth career paths. The phlebotomist learning track can be completed in as little as seven to 16 weeks.👏

“Central Piedmont has helped me keep my dream alive,” says Sonia. “It’s given me a second chance at fulfilling my goals of being a working professional, learning a new skill, and helping my community, and I’m not going to let it go to waste. Not this time around.”😊