News

December 19, 2018

CTE Automotive Alum Is ‘Revved’ Up To Be A Reverend

From shock and brake fluid to holy water and prayers.

That’s the career trajectory for 2018 Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School graduate Mike Tilison from Mohonasen who, after completing his studies in the automotive program, is now studying history and philosophy at SUNY Schenectady County Community College (SCCC).

Tilison plans to take that two-year degree and eventually pursue a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and earn a doctorate in theology before launching a career as a Lutheran preacher.

“It’s something I feel strongly about and have always had a desire to do,” he said during a recent visit to the Albany CTE campus.

Tilison was an extremely active member of the Albany CTE campus, both in the automotive tech prep program where he earned college credits, and in the SkillsUSA organization, where he was named CTE Student of the Year for 2017-18.

He continued that activity as a CTE alumnus, returning to the campus earlier this school year to talk to current students about the value of being involved in SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA is a national organization for career and technical education students. Members organize campus-wide events such as holiday food and fund drives, community service projects and blood drives, while also participating in competitions.

Asked about learning automotive repair before heading into a completely different career trajectory, Tilison said his time at CTE was an extremely important step towards his career and personal goals.

“Attending CTE for two years taught me to be a better person. It taught me to work with others … and through SkillsUSA I learned how to speak publicly and how to be a leader,”’ said Tilison. “I also learned lifelong skills in auto repair that I can use to help myself and others.”

Though only weeks into his college studies, Tilison already has the remainder of his schooling figured out: A bachelor’s degree in philosophy from SUNY Albany and then onto a doctoral program for theology at either a program in Minnesota or Pennsylvania.

“Attending BOCES helped give me the skills I need to pursue the career of my choice,” he said.