From Journalism to the OR: Student Giulia Gionta Finds Her Calling in the Surgical Technology Program

Giulia Gionta didn’t expect to return to college in her late 20s -- especially not for a career she didn’t even know existed.

Before Monroe, Giulia earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from another institution and worked in the field for a short time before deciding it was not the right fit for her. But her path forward was not immediately clear. The turning point was not a single dramatic event; it was a growing internal clarity that she wanted a future built on stability and meaning.

She began thinking seriously about what she wanted her life to look like, both practically and personally. She knew she wanted career and financial stability -- and, importantly, she wanted to pursue something that felt fulfilling “on a deeper level” to her. 

During this period of reflection, Giulia started working in a hair salon. It was there, through a coworker she worked with on weekends, that she first heard about surgical technology. During the week, that colleague works as a surgical technician.

Giulia had never heard of the role before...and she was fascinated.

“I actually didn’t even know what a surgical tech was,” she said. “I didn’t know it was even a job.”

As she researched surgical technology further, the timing felt right -- an uncanny feeling for the self-described “big overthinker.” Giulia dove in headfirst after discovering Monroe’s Surgical Technology program, an accelerated option that, if all went well, would bring her to graduation within a year and a half.

That was January 2025. With graduation just one semester away, Giulia said the hard work and determination have been completely worth it.

“The amount of knowledge that I’ve gained in such a short amount of time -- I feel like I’ve been in the program longer,” she said.

During the fall 2025 semester, Giulia began her clinicals, gaining her first sustained exposure to the operating room environment. Those experiences further solidified her decision.

Surgical technologists are the unsung heroes of the operating room, with their work beginning before the patient is even brought in. They ensure the room is prepared and that the instruments, supplies, and medications used during a case are clean, organized, and ready. During the procedure, the surgical technologist assists directly, handing instruments, anticipating needs, and helping the surgeons maintain focus.

Giulia said her time at Monroe prepared her well. She maintains calm in the operating room, a critical skill surgical technologists need in order to best support the procedure. She describes her experience at Monroe as supportive from the very beginning, starting with the admissions process and continuing throughout the program.

“I’ve had a wonderful experience in this program,” she said. “And with Monroe in general, I feel like everyone’s been super helpful.”

Her story -- and those of other adult learners like her -- aren’t often the primary narrative shared about higher education. In glossy brochures and online articles, colleges often focus on reaching 16- to 18-year-olds (or their parents), explaining why they should choose one institution over another.

But Giulia’s story is a reminder that not every college student has everything figured out at the start of adulthood. Sometimes, it takes time, experience, and self-knowledge to find the right direction. As an adult student, she says this return to school is different: it’s grounded in intentionality, with direction, purpose, and -- most importantly -- it is fully her choice.

“I made this decision to go back to school and to pursue this on my terms,” she said. “No one was making me do this, so I take it very seriously.”

Giulia expects to graduate in April 2026 and plans to take her board exam shortly after. If she passes, she hopes to transition quickly into the workforce.

For adults who feel uncertain about their next step -- especially those considering a return to college -- Giulia advocates for self-compassion. She made this decision after spending significant time in meditation and deep reflection, and while the journey has not been easy, she says it has been unquestionably worth it.

“It definitely is one of the most challenging things I’ve ever taken on, but it’s been equally as rewarding,” she said. “It’s made me learn so much about myself.”